SUMMER 2026 INTENSIVE
Learn the art of improvisation & Composition in our Summer Intensive – Jazz Improvisation & Composition with New York Jazz Workshop faculty members Marc Mommaas, and Tony Moreno.
About the Jazz Improvisation 1 Summer Program
Marc Mommaas (professor at the New School, NYC and co-founder of NYJW) and Tony Moreno (professor at NYU and Columbia) are two jazz masters who have led this workshop in conservatories around the world, and have impeccably perfected the key components to teaching improvisation. This workshop on improvisation and composition covers many different styles, as well as harmonic, melodic and rhythmic principles. Marc Mommaas (sax) will lead the program and will be joined by Tony Moreno. This program is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists.
Dates: July 21 to 24, 2026
Topics:
– Ear-training, formal versus informal.
– Composition as a tool to find your voice.
– Chords, scales and Elvin Jones.
– How to learn a tune.
– Diatonic and Chromatic Reharmonization.
– Rhythm in a Harmonic Context.
– Rhythmic expansion.
– Practicing routine, how to organize your materials.
Prerequisites:
-At least 18 years of age
-A willingness to learn
-Instructors may ask for a recorded sample before admission
-Some of our intensives are better suited to intermediate and advanced musicians with a minimum of a few years on their instrument; other summer intensives, such as the beginner vocal and choir, are open to everyone. More details can be discussed during registration.
About the Faculty
Marc Mommaas- Marc made his debut as a leader in his 1999 recording Global Motion Trio with Nikolaj Hess (piano) and John Hebert (bass). In 2001 the acclaimed drummer Tony Moreno joined the group which became Global Motion. In 2003 after an extensive tour in Europe including a 5 day hit at the Pompoen in Amsterdam, the band returned to NYC and recorded Global Motion, released by Sunnyside Records. This release earned critical acclaim in Downbeat, Jazztimes, Jazzimprov, All About Jazz and numerous online platforms. This record was followed by another well received Sunnyside release titled Balance (2006), a long anticipated duo recording with pianist and longtime friend Nikolaj Hess. In 2010 he jumped into a new project born out of his extensive collaboration with drummer Tony Moreno. It became “Landmarc” the guitar project, a band with three guitars, sax, drums and no bass. The touring band included two guitarists, Vic Juris and Nate Radley. In 2013 Marc released his solo Saxophone project “Irreversible Momentum”, in 2016 the ‘Ballads and Standards’ recording with Nikolaj Hess, Thomas Morgan and Vic Juris, in 2022 ‘the Impressionist’ with Jay Anderson, Nate Radley and Gary Versace, and in 2023 ‘into the Briar Patch’ a collaborative project with Kenny Wessel and Jay Anderson. All recordings are released on Sunnyside Records accept for the ‘into the Briar Patch’ which is released on Nonotes Records. Read More
Tony Moreno- New-York-based drummer Tony Moreno is simply one of the most sought after musicians of his profession. He tours all around the world and has played with artists including Barry Harris Trio; Gene Shimosato (w/Matt Garrison and Ravi Coltrane); Dave Phillips and Freedance; Sal Nestico; Mal Waldron Trio; Fred Favarel (w/ Richie Beirach and Jean-Jaques Avanel); The Lounge Lizards; Jurgen Friedrich Trio; European Jazz Orchestra (Parma FrontiereJazz); and Marc Mommaas and Global Motion. In addition to being one of the first New York Jazz Workshop faculty members, Moreno teaches at New York University Jazz Program, Columbia University, and at the City College of New York. He has also lead many clinics in France, Canada, Spain, Germany, Denmark and the US. Read More
Tuition:
$585 Early Bird – for registrations and payments received before March 31th
$625 for registrations received from Apri1st
10:00am – 12:00pm: Morning Sessions
1:00pm – 4:00pm: Afternoon Sessions
Registration:
To sign up for this Summer Intensive, fill out this brief registration form.
General Information
For more info regarding our summer program, housing, travel, and more, visit our Summer Workshop General Information page. For a more in-depth experience, inquire about adding a private lesson with someone from the NYJW Faculty during your visit. Learn more about how you can combine Summer Intensives to create a customized Summer Jazz Packages. Feel free to reach out via email at info@newyorkjazzworkshop.com with any additional questions.
What to expect:
When you join us for one or more of our intensives, you can expect to become a member of our tightly knit community. There will be musicians from all over the world looking to learn, explore and make connections. You will be making connections that last a lifetime. A typical day will be as follows:
10:00am – 12:00pm: Morning Sessions
– Lunch Break
1:00pm – 4:00pm: Afternoon Sessions
Evenings: Free
Student will normally organize small groups or go check out some concerts. See “Fun Evening Activities” in the General Information page for more details. There will be opportunities for every student to perform outside of the school, more details coming up soon.
MARC MOMMAAS
TONY MORENO