In anticipation of the 2012 Academy in New York and the forthcoming application phase, the Academy holds a three-night series of unique NYC-centric events. Albeit, on the West Coast.

The Red Bull Music Academy continues to traverse the globe, having put down roots in Madrid, London, Barcelona, Cape Town, São Paulo, Melbourne and many other locations in its 14-year tenure. But the siren song of the Big Apple calls loud, and for our 15th anniversary this year, we’re proud to set up shop in New York City from September 30 to November 2, 2012.

To kick off the application phase beginning February 2 and ending April 2, we will be celebrating the unique musical heritage of NYC with a series of parties highlighting the jazz, hip hop and house scenes the city has incubated. However, we should probably mention - we’re bringing this East Coast flair to the Pacific.

The legendary New York-based, Grammy-winning saxophonist Gary Bartz starts off the three-night “NYC to SF Bay” series on January 25 at Yoshi's with a focus on New York jazz, featuring guest appearances from Bilal and Academy alumnus Aloe Blacc. Bartz was a crucial member throughout the 60s in projects from Art Blakey, Charles Mingus, McCoy Tyner and Miles Davis. He then went on to release seminal soul jazz records throughout the 70s and 80s, both solo and with his NTU Troop crew, while racking up cult dancefloor hits like “Music Is My Sanctuary” in the process.

The second night of the series, January 26, the Academy turns the lens towards New York’s hip hop scene and brings out two of the city’s most respected DJ personalities - Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Garcia. Founders of the “Stretch & Bobbito Show”, the duo will revisit the highlights of their seminal program broadcast from Columbia University’s WKCR in the early 90s (which in turn helped launch the careers of hip hop giants like Nas, Black Moon, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, and Big Pun). Bay Area turntable giant Shortkut opens the night.

On January 27, the third and final night of the series, the spotlight shifts to house, as pioneers Kenny Dope and Louie Vega of Masters At Work drop a set alongside Miguel Migs, Julius Papp, and Mauricio Aviles. Academy participants such as bass maestro Salva, soul crooner Jesse Boykins III, and deep rave producer Ghosts On Tape ensure the night will be well beyond wild.

Make sure to check rbmaradio.com for performances and audio recaps from the series.