A wide variety of jazz ensembles

Our Jazz Studies program offers a wide variety of ensembles for undergraduate and graduate students to join, both music majors and non-music majors alike. Jazz students have opportunities to perform both on and off campus numerous times per year, in groups ranging from the traditional big band setting to small contemporary ensembles to Latin jazz-focused combos.

Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble (small group)

Nick Moran, director
Rehearsal Schedule: Thursday, 6-8 pm, 1321 Humanities Bldg.

Course Number: 660-262 (for undergraduate credit), 660-562 (for graduate credit); 1 credit.
Prerequisite: Audition required.

Description: A small jazz ensemble that covers a wide range of Afro-Cuban music, including son, son montuno, guaracha, mambo, bembe, danzón, guaguancó, cha-cha-chá, mozambique, rumba, and bolero. Students in the Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble work with the rhythmic concepts of clave in practical application, including improvisation and theoretical knowledge. The group consists of 2–4 frontline instruments (brass, woodwinds, or strings), 1–2 comping instruments (piano, guitar, vibraphone), bass, drums, and percussion.

Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in the Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble may audition, regardless of degree path.

Blue Note Ensemble (small group)

Chad McCullough, director
Rehearsal Schedule: Wednesday, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm; 1321 Humanities Bldg.

Course Number: 660-262 (for undergraduate credit), 660-562 (for graduate credit); 1 credit.
Prerequisites: Audition required.

Description: The Blue Note Ensemble consists of 2–3 frontline instruments (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, other woodwinds or high strings), and 1–2 comping instruments (piano, guitar, vibraphone), bass, and drums. It performs music from the post-bop jazz period of the 1950s and 1960s (such as the music of Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and Art Blakey). Each semester primarily focuses on the music of a single jazz artist.

Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in the Blue Note Ensemble may audition, regardless of degree path.

Contemporary Jazz Ensemble (small group)

Johannes Wallmann, director
Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesday, 3:30-5:30 pm, 1321 Humanities Bldg.

Course Number: 660-262 (for undergraduate credit), 660-562 (for graduate credit); 1 credit.
Prerequisite: Audition required.

Description: The Contemporary Jazz Ensemble consists of 2–3 frontline instruments (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, other woodwinds or high strings), and 1–2 comping instruments (piano, guitar, vibraphone), bass, and drums. This small group performs contemporary, mainstream jazz repertoire from the last two decades (such as the music of Dave Douglas, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Wheeler, Chris Potter, David Binney, Dave Holland, and Brian Blade), as well as student compositions.

Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in the Contemporary Jazz Ensemble may audition, regardless of degree path.

Jazz Composers Group

Les Thimmig, director
Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesday, 6-8 pm

Course Number: 660-262 (for undergraduate credit), 660-562 (for graduate credit); 1 credit.
Prerequisites: Audition required.

Description: A small jazz ensemble focused primarily on student compositions, consisting of trumpet, alto saxophone and tenor saxophone with woodwind doubles, trombone, piano, bass, and guitar.

Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in the Jazz Composers Group may audition, regardless of degree path.

Jazz Standards Ensemble (small group)

Peter Dominguez, director
Rehearsal Schedule: Thursday, 3:30-5:30 pm, 1321 Humanities Bldg.

Course Number: 660-262 (for undergraduate credit), 660-562 (for graduate credit); 1 credit.
Prerequisite: Audition required.

Description: The Jazz Standards Ensemble performs music from the standard jazz repertoire. It consists of 2–3 frontline instruments (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, other woodwinds or high strings), and 1–2 comping instruments (piano, guitar, vibraphone), bass, and drums.

Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in the Jazz Standards Ensemble may audition, regardless of degree path.

Resistance Music Ensemble

Nick Moran, director

Rehearsal Schedule: Fridays, 1:30-3:15 pm, 1341 Humanities Bldg.

Course Number: 660-297; 1 credit.
Prerequisites: Audition required.

Description: Ensemble exploring a variety of musical styles through rehearsals and performance. Audition and instructor consent required for students enrolling for the first time. Explore a variety of musical styles created from social movements and generational and cultural identity, through rehearsals and performance. Styles to be covered, studied, and performed include, but are not limited to Hip Hop, Reggae, Jazz, and Cumbia. Students are expected to become familiar with the styles introduced in class, as well as in their associated formal structures. Students will become familiar with the rhythmic concepts of each musical style in practical application including improvisation and theoretical knowledge. Additionally, students are expected to sing, play a variety of acoustic and electronic instruments and potentially be expected to perform music from memory. Finally, students may have the opportunity to arrange and/or compose tunes for this ensemble.

Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in the Resistance Music Ensemble may audition, regardless of degree path. Open to all instruments and vocalists. Fulfills the “List B” (cultural breadth requirement) for music education majors.

UW Jazz Orchestra

Johannes Wallmann, director
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday & Wednesday, 6-8 pm, 1321 Humanities Bldg.

Course Number: 660-262 (for undergraduate credit), 660-562 (for graduate credit); 1 credit.
Prerequisites: Audition required.

Description: The UW Jazz Orchestra includes 5 saxophones (2 alto, 2 tenor, 1 bari; flute and/or clarinet doubling experience preferred, but not required); 4 to 5 trumpets; 4 to 5 trombones; and piano, guitar, bass, drums. The ensemble workshops and performs music ranging from the classic big band repertoire to contemporary and cutting-edge concert jazz music by today’s leading jazz composers.

Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in the UW Jazz Orchestra may audition, regardless of degree path.