“It’s a fact — I love drummers,” says Jane Ira Bloom of working with Brian Shankar Adler. “I just light up next to the rhythmic energy of drums and percussion.”

Drummer Chad Taylor’s quintet for his new recording, Smoke Shifter, from left: Bryan Rogers, Matt Engle, Taylor, Jonathan Finlayson and Victor Vieira-Branco

While much free-jazz remains well off the beaten path, its adherents are more passionate and obsessive than ever.

For this year’s Gerry Mulligan Jazz Challenge, students can submit a video recording of “Outback Of The Barn” on the instrument of their choice.

“I was afraid of not being able to catch up so I began practicing eight hours a day for years,” says Emma Rawicz of starting on the saxophone as a teenager. “It was unhinged, but it fulfilled a purpose.”

“I think that’s where we’re at now. Just us traveling to Iceland and being in this environment, it’s already changed whatever you think of, what you thought that song was going to be,” says Soulive’s Alan Evans.

Lovers of the big band experience, clockwise from top left, John Clayton, Leigh Pilzer, Ted Nash, David Pietro and Christine Jensen.

Sullivan Fortner continues a winning streak with his third Grammy for Jazz Album of the Year after earning the Gilmore Larry J. Bell Artist Award last October.

Currently entering its 31st year, Vail Jazz Workshop is an intensive residency program for highly dedicated and advanced high school-aged jazz musicians.

​“I play what I want and what I like,” said Andrew Cyrille. “I use my knowledge artistically and professionally.”