In Feb. 2008 Jon Welch took a day off from the studio to work with some talented new blood in Hamburg, all members of the city-sponsored youth jazz orchestra Jazzessence.  The group was founded in 1988 and has been under the leadership of Nils Gessinger since its inception.

The first order of the day was  a lengthy workshop with the trombone section working on commercial and jazz phrasing, section balance and overall section sound.  Band members are among most talented jazz musicians in Hamburg under age 25, rehearse weekly and gathered together on this special day to intensify their studies with a panel of jazz and big band professionals.  After an informal lunch break together, the individual sections of the band were reunited and the sight reading of the new season's material commenced.

The band burned through more than 12 new charts in less than two hours including accompanying vocalists and Nils Gessinger as a featured piano soloist.  And these were not just any average charts: the collection contained the newest releases by Gordon Goodwin's "Phat Band" as well as some challenging, old Stan Kenton gems.  Jon guest-conducted several numbers and got to work closely with rhythm section, the singers and the saxophone section.

"The band is more concentrated and gets more work done than a lot of the professional groups I know," commented Jon.  "The level here has risen steadily over the past few years and I'm very impressed with how high the standard is now.  A lot of professionals in town are going to have these kids nipping at their heels."  All in all it was a very successful day and as always, a pleasure to give something back to the up and coming generation and the community at large."