The Jazz Studies program at the Mead Witter School of Music 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.
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.
Blue Note Ensemble (small group)
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.
Description: The Blue Note Ensemble consists of 2–3 frontline instruments (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, other woodwinds or high strings), 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, or Art Blakey). Each semester primarily focuses on the music of a single jazz artist.
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.
Description: The Contemporary Jazz Ensemble consists of 2–3 frontline instruments (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, other woodwinds or high strings), 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.
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.
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.
Jazz Standards Ensemble (small group)
Emma Dayhuff, director
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday, 3:30-5:30 pm, 1321 Humanities Bldg.
Course Number: 660-262 (for undergraduate credit), 660-562 (for graduate credit); 1 credit.
Prerequisite: Audition.
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), 1–2 comping instruments (piano, guitar, vibraphone), bass, and drums.
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.
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; 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.
