Colombia
Improvisation Master Class – Michael Tracy
March 4, 2023
Jazz Improvisation – Things to Consider
Universidad el Bosque
Bogota, Colombia
I really enjoy working with students, especially ones in different countries, who may or may not speak English. Typically they are keenly interested in new ideas and, since English is their second language at best, it forces me to slow down and to think of different ways to get ideas and concepts across. This was a master class on improvisation for students that the Universidad el Bosque in Bogota, Colombia. As you can tell when listening, they were into it. It was a really good time together and I just happened to have turned on my iPhone to record.
Let’s Jazz! – Clausura del Semestre de los Estados Unidos
December 3, 2021
Online panel discussion regarding continuing educational interactions with Universidad el Bosque (Bogota, Colombia)
Ecuador
Universidad de las Artes master class
May 28, 2019
Kenya
Kenya
April 6, 2025
Kenya -USA Embassy pre -Concert
December 3, 2024
HOT CROSSED BUNS – Ghetto Classics students
Recorded before a concert in Nairobi, Kenya.
What a great way to end my time in Nairobi, playing with young Kenyan students from Ghetto Classics. I asked what they would like to play, what were they working on and up came Hot Crossed Buns. I can think of nothing better, so we all joined in.
Kenya – Improvisation class @ Mukuru
November 30, 2024
IMPROVISATION CLASS – Ghetto Classics students
Mukuru Ghetto, Nairobi, Kenya. November 30, 2024
This was my last day to work with the students from Ghetto Classics. Due to unexpected scheduling conflicts, I had to improvise from what I had planned to do and it could not have gone better. We just collected this group of students and started improvising with me playing keyboard. Be sure to check out Leaky, the young clarinetist in the green shirt. I found out later that he was about eight years old and playing clarinet about a year. He had never improvised but he was more than willing and he did great, so musical and fearless. He became emotional after finishing because he got to do something on his own and succeeded. So proud of him. They all did great, just look at their smiles. What a great way to end my six weeks working with these very deserving students.
Kenya – Mike Tracy interview
November 28, 2024
INTERVIEW: REFLECTIONS on JAZZ and MUSIC EDUCATION
Mukuru Ghetto. Nairobi, Kenya. November 28, 2024
Omollo Phabian is a trumpeter and PR person for Ghetto Classics. I think he did an excellent job creating this video.
Kenya – Mike Tracy teaching
November 16, 2024
JAZZ ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL CLASS – Ghetto Classics students
Korogocho Ghetto, Nairobi, Kenya.
One of my many rehearsals with the Ghetto Classics students. Not your typical jazz band but one filled with eager students. I never knew who I’d be working with from day to day but there was a core of about 15 t0 20 that were really dedicated with up to another 50 joining in at different time.
Thanks to David Fernandez for creating this representative video
Poland
Free Improvisation – Michael Tracy and Philippe Geiss
December 17, 2023
FREE IMPROVISATION – Michael Tracy and Philippe Geiss.
Recorded at Akademia Muzyczna in Poznan, Poland
Philippe is a outstanding saxophonist and educator. He and I met at the 5th International SaxEvent in December. Philippe enthusiastically embraced our playing together, so much so that we did so a second time just minutes following on the evening concert. Not often do you get to hear sopranino.
Free Improvisation – Michael Tracy and Rafa? Rachwa?
December 17, 2023
FREE IMPROVISATION – Michael Tracy and Rafal Rachwal.
Recorded at Akademia Muzyczna in Poznan, Poland
Rafal and I met at the 5th International SaxEvent in Poznan, Poland in December 2023. Rafa? is an excellent classical saxophonist and someone who has not had much experience improvising; however, it did not take much for me to get him to ‘converse’ with me through our saxophones.
Similarities and Differences between Classical and Jazz Saxophone
December 1, 2023
Similarities and Differences between Classical and Jazz Saxophone
Saxophone Master Class – 5th International Poznan SaxEvent
Akademia Muzyczna (Academy of Music). Poznan, Poland
It was a great honor to be invited to speak and perform at the 5th International Poznan SaxEvent at the Academy of Music in Poznan, Poland. My master class focused on the similarities and differences between classical and jazz saxophone performance, and I was thrilled to have such an attentive audience with great questions. It was a privilege to work with so many outstanding students and to meet exceptional saxophone performers and educators. A special thanks to my longtime friend Magdalena Jakubska-Szymiec for the invitation—this was truly a memorable experience.
Republic of Georgia
Mike Tracy in Tbilisi
June 20, 2016
Fulbright Senior Specialist – Tbilisi, Georgia
June 20, 2016