Fine Arts High
School
Interlochen
Center
for
the Arts - Interlochen
College / University
Upper Peninsula
Michigan Technological
University - Houghton
Northern Michigan University -
Marquette
Lower Peninsula
Central
Alma
College
-
Alma
Central Michigan University -
Mt. Pleasant
Delta College - University
Center/Saginaw
Ferris State University - Big
Rapids
Lansing Community College
- Lansing
Michigan State University - East
Lansing
Mott Community
College - Flint
Saginaw Valley State University
- Saginaw
East
Concordia
College - Ann Arbor
Eastern Michigan University -
Ypsilanti
Henry Ford Community College -
Dearborn
Macomb Community College -
Center Campus, Warren
Madonna University - Livonia
Marygrove College - Detroit
Monroe County Community
College - Monroe
Oakland Community College -
Bloomfield Hills
Oakland University -
Rochester
Rochester College -
Rochester Hills
Schoolcraft College -
Livonia
Siena Heights University -
Southfield
University of Michigan - Ann
Arbor
Wayne State University -
Detroit
North
Alpena Community College -
Alpena
Northwestern Michigan College
- Traverse City
South
Adrian College - Adrian
Albion College - Albion
Hillsdale
College - Hillsdale
Jackson Community College -
Jackson
Olivet College - Olivet
Southwestern Michigan
College - Dowagiac/Niles
Spring Arbor University -
Spring Arbor
West
 Top
Interlochen
Center for the Arts
Interlochen Arts Academy
Jazz
Studies Department
P.O. Box
199
Interlochen,
MI
49643
Ph:
(231) 276-7200
Website: http://www.interlochen.org/academy/
Jazz Director: Bill
Sears,
Coordinator
of
Jazz Studies
Ph: (231) 276-7894
e-Mail:
searswa@interlochen.org
Saxophonist Bill Sears has
served as the director of jazz studies at the
Interlochen Arts Academy since 1987.
Sears came to Interlochen from the Chicago
area where he led an active career as a
freelance musician and teacher at the American
Conservatory of Music. He has toured the
U.S. and Europe with the Ray Charles band
(1986) and shared the stage with many jazz
luminaries including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe
Williams, Art Farmer, Geoff Keezer, Rick
Margitza, and saxophonist Bill Evans.
As an
active performer, Bill has two recent
recordings,
"Chasinâââ¬ââ¢
The
Goal" with Margitza joining his quintet, and
"With One Accord", his latest CD featuring his
current 7-piece group, the Arts Center Jazz
Collective. Each CD features his
engaging saxophone along with several original
compositions. Showing respect for the
heritage of the tenor saxophone, Sears
encompasses the entire spectrum of the
instrument's tradition, from lush ballads
reminiscent of the great swing and bebop
masters to the searing intensity of today's
music. Sears is a performing
artist/clinician for the Selmer Corporation in
Elkhart, IN.
Interlochen
Academy
Music Faculty
Bands: Jazz Ensemble,
Jazz Combo
Interlochen
Arts
Academy Jazz Ensemble - Bill Sears,
Director
The 17-member Jazz Ensemble
is the flagship performing band in the jazz
program. This stellar unit is considered
one of the finest high school jazz ensembles
in the country while earning numerous awards,
including several "db" awards from Downbeat
magazine. It was chosen as a finalist at
the 1998 and 2003 Essentially Ellington
Competition held at Lincoln Center.
Interlochen Arts Academy
Jazz Combo - Bill Sears, Director
The Jazz Combo features 6-8 of the more
experienced and advanced musicians in the
program. The band provides opportunities
for musicians to develop improvisational
skills to their highest potential.
Both bands
have performed in Arizona, California, New
York, Chicago, and throughout Michigan.
Profile:
Interlochen Arts Academy, the
nation's first and foremost boarding fine arts
high school, unites students with others who
value their highest aspirations, creating a
close-knit artist community. Four-hundred
fifty of the world's most talented and
motivated young artists study music, theatre,
dance, visual arts, creative writing and
motion picture arts in a college-like
setting. They find in the Academy a
fast-paced, creative environment that
challenges, inspires and focuses their
talents. While producing more than 250
artistic presentations in the school year,
Academy students also master a rigorous
college-preparatory academic curriculum that
prepares them to take prominent roles in a
whole universe of professional endeavors.
- 450+ students
- 300+ faculty and staff
- 40+ states and 15+ countries
represented
- 38 Presidential Scholars, more than
any other school
- 250+ presentations
- Dozens of guest artist master classes
annually
- 1,200-acre wooded campus with
educational, recreational and performance
facilities
Since 1987 the jazz program
has expanded to include two levels of jazz
improvisation, a daily jazz history class, and
one combo in addition to the award-winning
17-piece jazz ensemble. The department is
recognized as one of the top jazz programs in
the country. During the past 15 years it
has earned Downbeat magazine's "db" award 11
times. The jazz ensemble has twice been
named a finalist at the Essentially Ellington
Competition held at Lincoln Center (1998,
2003). Alumni of the program can be found at
all of the top jazz conservatories and
universities, and many are leading active
professional careers in New York, Chicago, Los
Angeles, Boston, Miami and other major
cities.
Distinguished IAA alumni holding professional
jazz credentials include saxophonist Bob Mintzer,
composer-pianist-bassist Chris Brubeck,
drummer Dan
Brubeck, violinist Regina Carter,
drummer Peter
Erskine, vocalist Cedric Dent,
drummer Clarence
Penn, trumpeter Byron Stripling,
trumpeter Allen
Vizzutti, trumpeter Walter White,
singer
Norah Jones,
and
trombonist Bruce
Paulson.
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Adrian College Music Department
110
S. Madison St.
Adrian,
MI
49221
Ph:
800-877-2246
Ph:
517-265-5161
Web Site:
http://www.adrian.edu/academics/MUS/
Jazz
Director: Dr. Marty Marks, Director of
Bands
Marty
Marks
Profile
Ph:
517-264-3879
e-Mail:
mmarks@adrian.edu
Adrian
Music
Faculty
Jazz Events: http://www.adrian.edu/news/music_calendar.php
Albion College
611 East Porter
Street
Albion,
Michigan 49224
Ph:
517-629-1000
Web Site:
http://www.albion.edu/music/
Jazz Director:
James Ball -
Associate Professor; Director of Orchestra,
Jazz, Conducting
James
Ball
Profile
Office:
115, Goodrich Chapel
Ph:
517-629-0481
e-Mail: jball@albion.edu
Band:
Albion
Jazz Ensemble
Albion Jazz Ensemble - James
Ball, Director
The Albion Jazz Ensemble is comprised of
students from Albion College selected by
audition each fall. The ensemble performs
eight to ten concerts per school year,
including two shows each semester on the
Albion College campus. Additionally, the band
has a monthly engagement at Cascarelli's
Restaurant in downtown Albion. The Jazz
Ensemble plays a wide range of repertoire,
from classic big band compositions by Duke
Ellington and Billy Strayhorn to modern
arrangements by contemporary composers such as
Bob Mintzer, Vince Mendoza, Pat Metheny, and
Maria Schneider.
Albion Music
Faculty
Jazz Events:
http://www.albion.edu/music/concerts
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Alma College
Alma College
Music Department
614 W. Superior
St.
Alma, MI
48801
Ph:
989-463-7167 Music Department
Ph:
800-321-ALMA Alma College
Admissions
Web Site:
http://www.alma.edu/academics/departments/humanities/music
Jazz
Director: Jeff Kressler,
Director, Alma College Jazz Ensemble
Eddy Music
Building
989-463-7167
e-Mail: Kelly Masley, masley@alma.edu
Bands:
Alma
College
Jazz Ensemble
Albion
Music
Faculty
Jazz Events:
http://www.alma.edu/academics/departments/humanities/music/events
16th Annual Alma College Jazz Festival
High School Jazz Competition
Another spectacle of band performance arrives
in central lower Michigan this year for
the 16th annual Alma College High School Jazz
Festival.
An invitation only collection of jazz bands
from schools across the state competes in
a musical celebration marking another academic
year close and an opportunity to perform
for an inviting audience.
Thursday, April 12, 2012, 8am â 5pm
Remick Heritage Center, Presbyterian Hall
Free, no ticket is required
Alpena
Community
College
666 Johnson St.
Alpena,
MI 49707-1495
Ph:
989-356-9021
Ph:
888-468-6222
Web Site:
http://www.alpenacc.edu/index.asp
Jazz Director:
John
Schubert, Jazz Ensemble Instructor/Director
Bands:
ACC
Jazz
Ensemble
Faculty:
http://www.alpenacc.edu/search/personnelsearch.asp
Jazz
Events: hhttp://www.alpenacc.edu/calendar/index.htm
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Aquinas
College
1607 Robinson
Road S.E.
Grand Rapids,
MI 49506-1799
Ph:
616-632-8900
Ph:
616-632-2413
Web Site:
http://www.aquinas.edu/music/
Jazz Director:
Paul S.
Brewer, Director of Instrumental Music
Ph: (616) 632-2416
Office: AMC 119
E-mail: brewepau@aquinas.edu
 Dr. Paul
Brewer, Associate Professor and Director of
Instrumental Music at Aquinas College holds a
Doctorate of Musical Arts in Music Composition
and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of
Northern Colorado. Dr. Brewer also holds a
Bachelors and a Masters degree in Music
Education from the University of Central
Oklahoma.
In addition to
his teaching duties, Dr. Brewer has been
active as a professional trombonist since
1970. While jazz is his main musical
endeavour, Dr. Brewer has also played in a
variety of musical ensembles including
everything from orchestral groups to rock and
roll bands.
His many years as
a trombonist in musical theater productions
gave Dr. Brewer the opportunity to work with
celebrities such as Mickey Rooney, Ann Miller,
Richard Harris, Robert Goulet, and many
others. As a jazz performer Dr. Brewer has
performed with such greats as J.J. Johnson,
Max Roach, Urbie Green, Mel Torme, Randy
Brecker, and many others.
Among his many
contributions to the field of jazz education,
Dr. Brewer has been chosen three times to
lecture at the prestigious International
Association for Jazz Education annual
conference (twice in New York City and once in
Toronto). Dr. Brewer is also called upon each
year to adjudicate jazz festivals and to
perform as a guest soloist on public school
jazz band concerts.
Along with his
tenure at Aquinas College and as a Jazz Artist
sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation, Dr.
Brewer is also on the jazz faculty at the
Interlochen Arts Camp held each summer in
Interlochen, Michigan. At Interlochen Dr.
Brewer has taught many wonderful students from
all over the world among them, five-time
Grammy Award winner Norah Jones and Dr.
Brewer's son, Matthew Brewer, an upright
bassist currently performing with the great
alto saxophonist and Blue Note recording
artist, Greg Osby.
At Aquinas
College Dr. Brewer is the Director of Bands,
concert and jazz. Dr. Brewer also teaches
instrumental conducting,
instrumentation/arranging/orchestration, jazz
improvisation, studio trombone and trumpet,
band methods courses, popular music history,
and counterpoint.
Bands:
Aquinas
College Jazz Band
Aquinas College Music
Faculty
Jazz Events:
http://www.aquinas.edu/music/events.html
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Central
Michigan University
School of Music
Music Building,
Room 162
Mount Pleasant,
MI 48859
Ph:
989-774-3281
Web Site:
http://www.mus.cmich.edu/
Jazz Director:
Rob Smith,
Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies
Rob Smith
Profile
Ph:
(989) 774-1269
Room: MU 269
Email: smith2rm@cmich.edu
 Rob
Smith,
Assistant
Professor of Jazz Studies at Central
Michigan University, graduated from CMU in
1986. He went on to earn a Master of
Music-Jazz Studies degree from The University
of North Texas (1989), where he performed with
the world-renowned One O'clock Lab Band, and
can be heard on recordings from 1987-89.
Most recently,
Smith held a faculty position at The
University of North Carolina-Greensboro, The
Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program (2004-05). He
has also taught at St. Francis Xavier
University in Nova Scotia, Canada (1991-93,
1997), Michigan State University (1994-97),
Mott Community College (1995-97), Interlochen
Center For The Arts (2000), and Central
Michigan University (2000-04).
Bands: Jazz Central, Jazz Lab,
Vocal Jazz Ensemble (directed by Alan
Gumm)
CMU Jazz Central - Rob Smith,
Director
Jazz has been a part of Central Michigan
University since 1956, when the "Swingin'
Chips" were organized. Students at CMU can
participate in - Jazz Lab I, Jazz Central,
Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and jazz percussion
groups. Auditions for jazz bands generally
take place the first week of classes.
CMU
School
of Music Faculty
Jazz Events:
http://www.mus.cmich.edu/musicevents.htm
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Concordia University
School of Arts
& Sciences
4090 Geddes Road
Ann Arbor,
MI 48105-2797
Ph:
734-995-7391
Ph:
888-734-4237
Web Site:
http://www.cuaa.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-and-Sciences/Humanities/Music
Jazz Director:
Matthew Wolf,
Director of Bands
e-Mail: wolfm@cuaa.edu
Bands: Jazz Ensemble
Faculty:
http://www.cuaa.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-and-Sciences/Faculty
Jazz
Events: http://www.cuaa.edu/about-us/calendar
Eastern Michigan
University
Department of
Music & Dance
411 Pray Harrold
Ypsilanti,
Michigan 48197
Ph:
734-487-4380
e-Mail:
emu.music@emich.edu
Web Site:
http://www.emich.edu/music/
Jazz Director:
Donald
Babcock, Trombone, Assistant
Professor
Donald
Babcock
Profile
Ph:
734-487-6842
e-Mail: donald.babcock@emich.edu
Mark Pappas, Director, Jazz Combos
Mark
Pappas
Profile
Bands: Jazz Ensemble,
Jazz Combos
EMU Jazz Ensemble - Donald
Babock, Director
EMU Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble is comprised of
approximately 20 members. Jazz Ensemble is
open to all
EMU students by audition the first week of
classes.
Rehearsals: Tues., Thurs. 4:15-5:45 p.m.
EMU Jazz Combos
Jazz Combos are smaller ensembles
comprised of 3-6 members, based on
instrumentation
and skill level. Jazz Combos are open to all
EMU students by audition the first week of
classes.
Gigs are performed both on-campus and
off-campus venues, including the Tower Inn
Restaurant
in Ypsilanti every Thursday evening from 8-10
p.m.
Rehearsals: based on each group's availability
Faculty: http://www.emich.edu/music/faculty/index.php
Jazz Events:
http://www.emich.edu/music/jazz/events.php
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Ferris State
University
The Music Center
1030 Campus Drive
Big Rapids,
Michigan 49307
Ph:
231-591-2501
e-Mail: Ms.
Tracy Federoff, Music Center Secretary
federofft@ferris.edu
Web Site:
http://www.ferris.edu/music/
Jazz Director:
Matthew
Moresi,
Assistant
Professor,
Director of Jazz Band
Music Center 110
Ph: (231)
591-2587
e-Mail: moresim@ferris.edu
Besides directing
the jazz band, Matt Moresi also teaches
courses in Beginning Piano and Music
Appreciation. Moresi graduated from the
University of Oregon earning both Bachelor and
Master of Music degrees, while studying
trombone and jazz arranging/composition.
He has won many awards for his playing and
writing including the 2003 Reno jazz Festival
Outstanding College Performer, the 2004 Reno
Jazz Festival Outstanding College Trombonist,
and a finalist for the 2005 ASCAP Foundation
Young Jazz Composer Awards. The UNC Jazz
Press currently publishes his
arrangements. Moresi continues to remain
active as an educator, performer, writer, and
clinician.
Bands:
FSU
Jazz Band
The FSU Jazz Band
is sponsored by Ferris State University as
part of its Music for Life! initiative.
The FSU Jazz Band performs traditional and
contemporary literature for big band, along
with additional instruction in
improvisation. Membership is open by
audition to university students and members of
the community. Auditions are required
for new and returning members. The
auditions are held on Monday and Wednesday
evening in the first week of classes.
The FSU Jazz Band rehearses on Mondays and
Wednesdays from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Faculty:
http://www.ferris.edu/music/contacts.htm
Jazz Events:
http://www.ferri
s.edu/htmls/colleges/artsands/MusicWebSite/concerts/
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Grand Rapids
Community College
Performing Arts
143 Bostwick
Avenue, NE
Grand Rapids,
Michigan 49503
Ph:
616-234-GRCC
Web Site:
http://www.grcc.edu/?PageID=1759
Jazz Director:
Michael Gillan,
Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Jazz
Orchestra
Ph:
616-234-3941
e-Mail: mgillan@grcc.edu
Michael
Gillan
leads
the
jazz band along with duties as director of
the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Mariachi
Ensemble, Kent Philarmonia Orchestra, and the
Grand River Winds. He also teaches low
brass and Aural Comprehension.
Gillan received
his undergraduate musical training at Michigan
State University and his Masters Degree in
Trombone Performance from Ball State
University. He is currently pursuing a
doctorate in Wind Conducting from Michigan
State University.
Gillan has taught
in the secondary schools in Montana, Wyoming,
Indiana, Nevada and North Dakota. He was
formerly Interim Director of Bands at
University of Michigan-Flint and Wayne State
College in Nebraska. His groups have
been featured at both the Wyoming and Nebraska
Music Educators Conventions. Gillan has
also presented clinics at numerous state MENC
Conventions and has conducted many honor bands
in the Midwest area.
Bands:
Jazz
Orchestra, Jazz Combo
GRCC Jazz Orchestra - Michael
Gillian, Director
Jazz Orchestra - Michael Gillan, Director
The Jazz
Orchestra rehearses and performs pieces in
various styles and from various periods in
jazz and big-band developments.
Improvisation is taught and emphasized in
performance. Membership is by audition.
Jazz Combo -
Michael Gillan, Coach
Membership in the
Jazz Combo program is by audition. The
instrumentation varies according to the number
of students available. Groups in the past have
been anything from the traditional 3 horns
& rhythm section, to a quartet consisting
of vibes, cello, bass, drums. Music varies
from published charts, to the Real Book, to
original compositions of the students. Each
combo meets once a week for 1 hour.
Performances include, once each semester at
the School of Music (Fall and Spring Jazz
Night), once a month at the GRCC school
library, outside gigs at the Van Andel Arena,
and other private functions.
Faculty:
http://www.grcc.edu/musicFaculty
Jazz Events:
http://www.grcc.edu/musicCalendar
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Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Dr.
Music Department
1300 PAC
Allendale,
Michigan 49401-9403
Ph:
616-331-3484
Ph:
800-748-0246
Web Site:
http://www.gvsu.edu/music/index.cfm
Jazz Director:
Kurt
Ellenberger, Associate Professor and
Director of Jazz Band
Ph: (616) 331-2943
e-Mail: ellenbek@gvsu.edu
Kurt Ellenberger
began his professional career at the age of
thirteen in his hometown of Windsor, Ontario.
He received a D.M.A. in Composition from the
University of Texas at Austin, M.M. in
Theory/Composition from the University of
Northern Colorado, and a B.A. from the
University of Windsor. Ellenberger has
performed extensively on both trumpet and
piano in a wide variety of musical settings in
the contemporary, classical, and improvisatory
genres, including performances with Kenny
Wheeler, Billy Eckstine, and Della Reese. His
jazz trio, which he has led for over fifteen
years, has been recorded by CBC Radio in
Canada and NPR in the United States, featuring
Ellenberger as both performer and composer. He
recently recorded his first CD, entitled Songs
from Far West, a collection of his own pieces
along with works by Paul Hindemith and Duke
Ellington. The CD was released worldwide by
Challenge-A Records (Netherlands) and has been
reviewed in publications in Canada, America,
and Europe. He is also an ASCAP award winning
composer who has written music for solo piano,
voice and piano, orchestra, brass quintet,
brass choir, and also two concertos.
Bands:
Large
Jazz Ensemble, Small Jazz Ensembles
http://www.gvsu.edu/music/index.cfm?id=13954B6C-B01E-FA1F-50BC3435C445AB84
Large Jazz
Ensemble
The
group performs both traditional and
contemporary jazz music, including new works
composed especially for the jazz
program. It's featured at concerts,
dances, on tours, and at jazz festivals.
Open to music majors and non-majors. Audition
required.
Small Jazz
Ensembles
The
group focuses on mastery of tunes from the
jazz repertoire. Emphasis is on
improvisation and arranging using lead sheets
and original compositions.
Jazz
Improvisation Seminar
The
student unit meets as a performing ensemble
with emphasis and instruction on various
approaches to jazz improvisation.
Faculty:
http://www.gvsu.edu/music/index.cfm?id=AA186572-DBA7-EA78-DF730F3741C563A1
Jazz Events:
http://www.gvsu.edu/music/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.events
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Henry Ford
Community College
Fine
Arts and Fitness Division
MacKenzie Fine Arts Center, Room 132
5101 Evergreen Rd.
Dearborn, MI 48128-1495
Ph: 313-845-9600
Ph: 800-585-HFCC
Web Site:
http://www.hfcc.edu/
,
https://my.hfcc.edu/site_manager/catalog_manager/programs/view_program1.asp?id=529&view=s ,
http://www.hfcc.edu/programs/documents/HFCC_2007_08_catalog.pdf
Jazz
Director: Rick
Goward,
Associate
Dean-HFCC Fine Arts and Fitness
Division; Director of Bands-HFCC
Ph:
(313)
845-6470
e-Mail:
rgoward@hfcc.edu
Bands:
Henry
Ford
Big
Band, Blue Fusion (vocal jazz), Studio 110
(Big Band jazz), Midnight Blue (vocal jazz)
HFCC Big Band,
Rick Goward, Director
The HFCC Big Band has played at more than 750
concerts, dances and convention performances
since 1983. The band performed at the 2005 and
2001 Presidential Inauguration festivities in
Washington, D.C. The group is the only band
âââ¬ââ¬Å
professional or
amateur
âââ¬ââ¬Å
to
appear at the Ford Detroit Jazz Festival for
24 consecutive years. The Big Band also joined
with Evergreen Blues for a 2002 concert tour
in Hawaii.
The Big Band also has made prestigious concert
appearances at Carnegie Hall, New York (1992
and 1989) and at many international jazz
festivals, including the Montreux Jazz
Festival in Switzerland (1998, 1994, 1990,
1988, and 1985), Jazz Vienne in France (1998)
and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the
Netherlands (1990). The musicians have shared
the concert stage with Maynard Ferguson (1998
and 1993) and the Count Basie Orchestra
(1992).
Blue Fusion,
G. Kevin Dewey, HFCC Vocal Music Instructor
Blue Fusion performs a variety of classic and
contemporary vocal jazz, featuring both
âââ¬ËÅa
cappella and
accompanied selections. Blue Fusion traveled
to Chicago in 2003 with Studio 110 and joined
the HFCC at the 2003 Ford Detroit Jazz
Festival. The group consists of vocalists and
instrumentalists.
Studio 110
Jazz Orchestra, Randall Knight, HFCC Music
Instructor
The Studio 110 Jazz Orchestra performs a wide
selection of jazz favorites at many
Detroit-area events. Its members range from
recent high school graduates to retirees.
Studio 110 often shares the stage with Blue
Fusion, and the two groups traveled to Chicago
for a concert tour in 2003.
Midnight
Blue, G. Kevin Dewey, HFCC Vocal Music
Instructor
Midnight Blue performs vocal jazz.
Midnight Blue joined with the HFCC Big Band in
January 2005 to perform for the Presidential
Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. and at the
2005 Ford Detroit Jazz Festival.
Faculty:
http://www2.hfcc.edu/staff/StaffSearch.asp
Jazz Events:
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Hillsdale
College
Music Department
- Fine Arts
33
East College Street
Hillsdale,
MI
49242
Ph:
517-437-7341
Web
Site: http://www.hillsdale.edu/academics/majors/music.asp
Jazz Director:
Christopher
McCourry, Artist/Teacher of Music
(Trumpet), Director of Jazz Ensembles
Ph:
517-437-7341
e-Mail: cmccourry@hillsdale.edu
Chris
McCourry
holds
trumpet
performance degrees from The Ohio
State University, the University of North
Texas, and the University of Michigan.
He has held teaching fellowships at both the
University of Michigan and the University of
North Texas, and has performed as a member of
many symphony orchestras, including the
Lansing Symphony, the Flint Symphony, and the
Cleveland Pops Orchestra. He has also
performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra and
the Mannheim Steamroller, and with a number of
jazz and entertainment greats, including Jimmy
Cobb, Dave Leibman, Mel Torme, Bob Hope, and
Marcus Belgrave. While attending the
University of Michigan, Chris was a member of
the prestigious Michigan Faculty Brass
Quintet, performing with such international
soloists as Armando Ghitalla and Lowell Greer.
Bands:
College
Jazz
Big
Band, Jazz Combos, Vocal Jazz Quartet,
Saxophone Quartet, Faculty Jazz Sextet
Combos
Students interested in playing jazz are
assigned to small jazz combos of various
instrumentations with other students who share
similar experience and technical levels.
In the combos, focus is placed on learning to
improvise through understanding jazz scales
and chord changes. The combos perform at
different college and community functions both
on and off campus. Most instruments,
including voice, are welcomed to participate
in the jazz combos.
Big Band
The College Jazz Big Band is a 20-piece jazz
ensemble modeled after the standard
instrumentation of the popular groups of the
swing era. The ensemble performs
standard charts as well as new
compositions. The group has a very
active performing schedule both on and off
campus culminating with a main stage
performance featuring a guest artist each
spring. Past guest artists have included
trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, trumpeter Walter
White, and trombonist/arranger Paul Ferguson.
Faculty:
http://www.hillsdale.edu/academics/majors/music/faculty.asp
Ronald
Disalvio, Adjunct Instructor, Jazz Piano
http://www.hillsdale.edu/academics/display_profile.asp?cid=858991145
Jonathon
Gewirtz, Adjunct Instructor, Saxophone
http://www.hillsdale.edu/academics/display_profile.asp?cid=858984963
Eric W. Jones, Artist/Teacher of Percussion
http://www.hillsdale.edu/academics/display_profile.asp?cid=858990341
Jazz Events:
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/events/fine_arts.asp
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Hope College
Department
of
Music
127 E. 12th St
Holland, MI 49423
Ph: 616-395-7650
e-Mail: music@hope.edu
Web Site:
http://www.hope.edu/academic/music/
Jazz Director:
Brian Coyle,
Associate Professor of Music and Director of
Jazz Studies
e-Mail:
coyle@hope.edu
Brian
Coyle
is
currently Associate Professor of Music and
Director of Jazz Studies at Hope College. He
is an active performer, composer, arranger,
adjudicator and clinician who frequently
appears at festivals, universities, colleges,
high schools and clubs both Nationally and
Internationally. Professionally, Brian has
performed with Al Jarreau, Marcus Roberts,
Gene Bertoncini, Roberta Flack, Melissa
Manchester, the New Buddy Rich Band, Jermaine
Jackson, Bobby Shew, Marvin Stamm, Gary
Foster, the O'Jays, Pia Zadora, Eric Reed,
Ravi Coltrane, Jeffrey Osborne, Susan Anton,
Mac Davis, Chris Vadala and Lorrie Morgan,
among others. He has also performed with the
National Touring Companies of Dream Girls, How
to Succeed in Business, The Will Rodgers
Follies, Guys and Dolls, Teddy and Alice and
the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. He is the
author of numerous New Music Reviews for the
Jazz Educators Journal, serves on the Resource
Team and is chairman of the New Music
Committee for the International Association
for Jazz Education. Brian also serves as IAJE
President for the state of Michigan. He
received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Trumpet
Performance from the University of South
Florida, a Masters Degree in Instrumental
Conducting from California State University at
Northridge, and a Doctorate in Instrumental
Conducting from Michigan State University. He
is a member of the Jazz Faculty at Blue Lake
Fine Arts Camp, where he directs big bands,
teaches improvisation and performs in the Blue
Lake Monster.
Bands:
Jazz
Ensemble, Jazz Combos
Hope offers performing opportunities in both
big band and combo settings as well as a vocal
jazz workshop. The ensembles are open to
all students, regardless of academic major or
prior jazz experience, and placement is
determined by audition.
Hope College Jazz Ensemble -
Brian Coyle, Director
Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble is Hope's primary big
band. Directed by Brian Coyle, it
presents several concerts each semester as
well in performing in departmental events such
as the Arts and Humanities Fair and the Devos
Showcase. The ensemble plays a wide
range of jazz music, from Count Basie and Duke
Ellington to Thad Jones, Charles Mingus, Bill
Holman, and Maria Schneider, as well as
student compositions. Rehearsals are
held from 1:30-2:50 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
in Snow Auditorium.
Jazz Combos
Hope has several jazz combos that provide an
opportunity for students to play in a small
group setting. The combos meet regularly
with their faculty coaches as well as
rehearsing on their own. Performance
opportunities vary with the skill level of the
combo, with more advanced combos playing for
various campus and community functions in
addition to the combos concert at the end of
each semester.
Jazz Chamber Ensemble I has recorded several
CD's and toured nationally. Combos are
open to anyone who is interested, regardless
of experience with jazz. Rehearsal times
are determined individually.
Faculty:
http://www.hope.edu/academic/music/people/faculty/index.html
Brian
Coyle
Jazz
Studies, Trumpet
Robert Hodson Jazz
Styles and Analysis, Theory
Ryan
Janus
Jazz
Saxophone, Theory, Aural
Skills
Steve Talaga
Jazz Piano, Composition,
Orchestration
John Erskine
Recording Studio, MIDI &
Technologies, Computer Music
Ensemble
Kristin Ward
Jazz Voice, Clarinet, Aural
Skills
Mike
Hyde
Jazz
Guitar, Jazz Chamber
Ensemble
Mike Van Lente Jazz
Percussion
Charlie
Hoats Jazz
Bass
Jazz Events:
http://www.hope.edu/academic/music/calendar.html
Hope
College
Great
Performance Series
Call
616-395-7890
-
DeVos Ticket Office
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Kalamazoo
College
Department
of
Music
1200 Academy Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49006-3295
Ph: 269-337-7000
Web Site:
http://www.kzoo.edu/music/,
http://www.kzoo.edu/music/jazz/
Jazz Director:
Thomas G.
Evans, Kalamazoo College Jazz Band Director
Ph:
616-337-7070
E-mail:
tevans@kzoo.edu
Prior to accepting the position of Assistant
Professor of Music at Kalamazoo College, Dr.
Thomas Evans was Associate Professor of Music
and Director of Bands at Alfred University in
Alfred, NY. While at Alfred, he was
responsible for rebuilding the instrumental
portion of the music program. One result of
this rebuilding was the realization of two
highly successful international concert tours
with the Jazz Ensemble (Russia, Finland, and
Estonia, 1990; and Tunisia, 1992). Dr. Evans
also has six years of public school teaching
experience in New York state where his high
school bands and orchestras received the
highest rating at state ensemble festivals. He
holds degrees from the University of Michigan
(Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone
Performance), Boston University (Master or
Music in Music Education and Performance), and
the State University of New York at Fredonia
(Music Education). He is a recent contributor
to The Instrumentalist magazine and frequently
appears as a soloist, clinician, adjudicator,
and guest conductor.
Bands: K College Jazz
Band
Faculty:
http://www.kzoo.edu/music/index.php?page1=faculty.html
Jazz Events:
http://www.kzoo.edu/music/
, http://www.kzoo.edu/music/jazz/
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Lansing
Community College
Humanities
&
Performing
Arts
Department
Arts and Sciences Building, Room 255
419 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48933
Ph: 517-483-1018
Web Site:
http://www.lcc.edu/hums/music/index.htm
Jazz
Director: Michael Nealon,
Lead Faculty Music
Ph:
517-483-1507
e-Mail: nealonm@lcc.edu
Bands:
LCC
Jazz Ensemble
Faculty:
http://www.lcc.edu/hums/music/staff/
Jazz Events:
http://www.lcc.edu/hums/events/index.htm
Michigan State
University
College
of
Music
100 Music Practice Building, West Circle Drive
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 353-5340
Web
Site: http://www.music.msu.edu/ ,
http://www.music.msu.edu/study/jazz.php?study_jazz
Jazz
Director: Rodney Whitaker,
Associate Professor of Double Bass, Director
of Jazz Studies
Ph: 517-432-2194
e-Mail: whitak22@msu.edu
Rodney Whitaker is one of the leading
performers and teachers of jazz double bass in
the United States. He is a past member of the
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and received
international recognition performing with
drummer Carl Allen, Gerald Wilson Big Band,
Terence Blanchard Quintet, and Roy Hargrove
Quintet, among many others. Featured on
more than 100 recordings - from film to
compact discs - Whitaker's film score, China,
directed by Jeff Wray, was released on PBS in
Fall 2002.
A proven and committed jazz educator, Whitaker
has presented numerous master classes across
the nation at locations such as Duke
University, Howard University, University of
Iowa, University of Michigan, the New School
(NY), Lincoln Center, and the Ford Detroit
Jazz Festival. In addition, he is a consultant
with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in the
development of a jazz education department,
and has served on the faculties of the
University of Michigan and Juilliard Institute
of Jazz. Whitaker attended Wayne
State University, and studied with Robert
Gladstone, principal bass with the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra, and trumpeter Marcus
Belgrave.
Bands:
Jazz
Ensembles: two big bands, three octets,
multiple jazz combos
Web
Site: http://www.music.msu.edu/academic/degrees/jazzstudies.php#student,
http://www.music.msu.edu/ensembles/jazz.php
Michigan State University Jazz
Band I - Rodney Whitaker, Director
Jazz Band I, Rodney Whitaker,
director
The 16-piece Jazz Band I is a young swinging
college band playing the repertoire of the
great jazz masters, including soul, swing,
blues and gospel. The group's instrumentation
includes vocals, bass, piano, drums saxophone
(5), trumpet (4), and trombone (4).
Octet I,
Jazz Band II, Etienne Charles,
director
The 8-piece Octet I perfectly blends the
combination of big band with small group
performance. This ensemble features our most
advanced students and gives them more
opportunity to improvise. The group's
instrumentation includes bass, drums, piano,
tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, trumpet,
trombone and vocals.
Octet II &
Octet III, Diego Rivera, conductor
Faculty:
http://www.music.msu.edu/academic/degrees/JazzStudies2.php#faculty
Rodney
Whitaker
Professor of Double Bass, Director of Jazz
Studies
Wessel "Warmdaddy" Anderson
Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, Saxophone
and Improvisation
Etienne Charles
Assistant Professor of Jazz
Trumpet
Randy Gilespie
Instructor of Jazz Drums
Diego Rivera
Instructor of Jazz Studies, Saxophone and
Improvisation
Ken Prouty
Assistant Professor of Musicology and Jazz
Studies
Reggie Thomas
Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano
Michael
Dease
Jazz
Trombone, Artist-in-Residence
Faculty
Ensemble: MSU Professors of
Jazz
The MSU Professors of Jazz are a jazz group
established and maintained through the Jazz
Studies area at Michigan State
University. Each member is a
professional jazz musician and a member of the
Jazz Studies faculty at MSU. The
hard-swinging group performs music from the
Jazz Canon, including Duke Ellington, Miles
Davis, Thelonious Monk, and original
compositions. Members have performed at
national and international venues and clubs,
and continue to perform locally to support
Michigan jazz presenters and educators.
Web Site:
http://www.music.msu.edu/faculty/ensembles_professors.php?faculty_ensembles_professors
Jazz
Events: http://www.music.msu.edu/events/index.php?events
Season
Brochure: http://www.music.msu.edu/documents/seasonbrochure2011-12.pdf
The Music
Building Auditorium and Hart Recital Hall are
located in the Music Building on West Circle
Drive. Visit the Event
Calendar [www.music.msu.edu]
or call the Music Events Line, (517) 355-3345.
For information about events call (517)
432-5253.
Top
Michigan
Technological University
Department
of
Fine
Arts - 209 Walker
1400 Townsend Dr.
Houghton, MI 49931
Ph: 906-487-2067
e-Mail: music@mtu.edu
Web Site:
http://www.mtu.edu/vpa/music/
Jazz Director:
Michael
Irish, Associate Professor, Director of Jazz
Studies
Ph:
906-487-2145
e-Mail: music@mtu.edu,
mjirish@mtu.edu
Michael Irish has a broad background in Jazz
Studies as both an educator and performer. He
holds a B.M.E. from Northern Michigan
University and an M.M.E. from the University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a thesis in
Jazz Studies. Prior to his appointment at
Michigan Tech, Irish taught in the Wisconsin
Rapids Public Schools and for eight years was
the Director of Jazz Studies at the University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
As a jazz guitarist, Irish has performed with
Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Dizzy Gillespie,
Rob McConnell, Don Ellis, Steve Houghton, and
Frank Mantooth, among others. In the
area of popular music, he has worked with Bob
Hope, Robert Goulet, Rich Little, Carol
Lawrence, and Rodney Dangerfield.
Irish received the Michigan Tech Distinguished
Teacher Award for senior faculty in 2001. He
is also a jazz adjudicator-clinician and
composes and arranges for both large and small
jazz ensembles, having studied with Frank
Mantooth, Matt Harris and Dick Grove. His
publications are available through Really Good
Music. He is a longtime member of the
International Association of Jazz Educators
and in 1985 received the first National Band
Association Outstanding Jazz Educator Award.
In 1992, he received one of six National Merit
Awards from the American College Theater
Festival for his 25 original compositions for
the blues musical, The Blue Psalms. Two of his
arrangements are featured on the latest MTU
jazz CD entitled Tech Jazz, and he contributed
7 of his original compositions to the Jaztec
CD, Watch Your Step. In 2004, the Keweenaw
Symphony Orchestra premiered his 7-part jazz
suite "Scenes From The Keweenaw" assisted by
the Jazz Lab Band. In 2005, he collaborated
with playwright M.C. Friedrich to produce the
Dead Man's Jazz Club, an original play that
which featured 7 of his original compositions
for jazz combo. Irish has released two solo
jazz guitar CDs, Northern Standard Time, and
Last Month Of The Year.
Bands: Research &
Development Big Band, Mike Irish, Director
Affectionately known as the R&D Band, this
ensemble's main focus is to provide students
with an opportunity to learn and develop the
basic skills of jazz performance and
improvisation in a large ensemble environment.
Admission into this ensemble is open to all
students, many of whom have played little or
no jazz in the past. Others use the R&D
Band as an ensemble where they can keep their
jazz skills sharp while waiting to audition
for an opening in the Jazz Lab Band. All
styles of jazz, Latin-jazz, rock, funk, and
ballads are explored by the R&D Band in
addition to healthy doses of jazz
improvisation. The band struts its stuff in
campus concerts every semester, and, in April
of each year, does a concert tour of local
public schools.
MTU Jazz Lab Band - Mike Irish,
Director
JAZZ LAB BAND, Mike Irish, Director
The award-winning Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band,
under the direction of Mike Irish, is made up
of 20 musicians from throughout the country,
and features a broad repertoire of music
ranging from the Big Band Era to today's
contemporary sounds and original compositions.
Their busy schedule includes numerous concerts
and club dates throughout the Upper Peninsula
of Michigan, guest artist concerts featuring
performers such as Clark Terry, Louis Bellson,
Maynard Ferguson, Byron Stripling, Frank
Mantooth, Frank Wess, Wendell Harrison, Woddy
Herman and the Young Thundering Herd, and the
Stan Kenton Orchestra, an annual one-week
Midwest Tour, and featured performances at
various conventions such as the Midwestern
Conference on School Music. The Jazz Lab Band
has toured Jamaica six times and been chosen
as the Outstanding Large Ensemble at the
Aquinas Intercollegiate Big Band Festival,
Grand Rapids, MI and the University of
Wisconsin - Eau Claire Collegiate Jazz
Festival on numerous occasions. The students
composing this ensemble come from all
curricula except music, since Michigan Tech
does not offer a music major. A 19-credit
minor in Jazz Idiom was instituted during the
2000 - 2001 school year. Their latest CD, Tech
Jazz, features both the Jazz Lab Band and the
award-winning MTU combo, Jaztec.
JAZTEC,
MOMENTUM, Mike Irish, Director
These and other jazz combos provide small
numbers of horn players, vocalists and rhythm
sections provide a perfect "laboratory" for
the study and performance of jazz
improvisation, and the development of a strong
personal "voice" in the jazz idiom. MTU
offers a variety of small jazz combos for
student participation.
JAZTEC is a dynamic 7-piece jazz combo that
specializes in contemporary jazz, funk, and
original styles. The instrumentation of 3
horns, and rhythm section allows each member
ample opportunity to explore jazz
improvisation and composition, and to develop
an individual style.
MOMENTUM is a dynamic blend of horns, vocal
and rhythm section that regularly competes in
jazz festivals and has an active performance
schedule.
In addition to frequent campus concerts, these
combos often perform in local clubs, at jazz
festivals, records CD's, and tours with the
JAZZ LAB BAND each year. They have been
selected as the Outstanding Jazz Combo at the
UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival on three occasions
and twice at the Aquinas College Jazz
Festival. JAZTEC's first CD, "Watch Your
Step," came out in 1998. Admission is by
audition when openings occur.
Faculty:
http://www.fa.mtu.edu/fs.shtml
Jazz Events:
http://www.mtu.edu/vpa/events/
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Mott Community College
Fine
Arts Division
MMB 1031, 1401 East Court St.
Flint, MI 48503
Ph: 810-762-0200
Web Site:
http://www.mcc.edu/3_academi
cs/divisions/fine_arts.shtml
Jazz
Director: Chuck Iwanusa, Fine
Arts Jazz Studies Director
Ph:
810-232-3505
e-Mail: Charles.Iwanusa@mcc.edu
Bands:
Jazz
Ensemble, Steelheads Percussion Ensemble
[James Coviak - Steelheads Director]
http://www.mcc.edu/steelheads/index.shtml
The Steelheads
are a percussion ensemble and steel band
composed of students from Mott Middle College
High School, Mott Community College and the
University of Michigan-Flint.
The steel band curriculum was created at Mott
Middle College
âââ¬ââ¬Â
a
program operated by Genesee Intermediate
School District
âââ¬ââ¬Â
as an instrumental music alternative for
students disengaged from the traditional
learning environment. Students who advance
through the high school program have the
opportunity to audition for the Steelheads.
The Steelheads are college and professional
level musicians. They perform 40 to 50 events
per year in the community and throughout the
state.
Since 1997, this award winning group has
performed in over a dozen major venues across
North America and Europe. The ensemble is
consistently recognized with top honors for
musical excellence.
Faculty:
http://www.mcc.edu/cgi-bin/
deptcontacts.cgi?pagename=Fine
Jazz Events:
http://www.mcc.edu/3_academics/fa_ca
lendar.shtml
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Northern Michigan
University
Department of
Music
1401 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette, MI 49855
Ph: 906-227-2563
Ph: 800-682-9797
Web
Site: http://www.nmu.edu/music/
Jazz Director: Mark Flaherty,
Assistant Professor of Music
Ph:
906-227-1037
e-Mail: mflahert@nmu.edu
Mark
Flaherty teaches applied trumpet and horn to
majors and non-majors and directs the
Northern Michigan University Jazz Band
and Jazz Workshop Ensemble. He also teaches
courses in jazz improvisation, survey of jazz,
upper brass methods, music theory, and Music
in Society (a service course for liberal
studies credit). In addition to these duties,
he coordinates the technology needs of the
Music Department. This includes the planning
and maintenance of the Computer Aided Music
Instruction Laboratory (CAMIL) and the
electronic practice suites that assist
students in learning jazz and commercial
styles as well as traditional solo literature.
Bands:
University
Jazz
Band
The Jazz Band at Northern Michigan University
performs many concerts throughout the school
year and has toured Michigan's Upper Peninsula
as well as Wisconsin. The ensemble performs
literature by Thad Jones, Tom Kubis, Bob
Brookmeyer, Sammy Nestico, and other fine jazz
composers. The Band is the featured ensemble
at the NMU Jazz Festival. The Jazz Band has
performed and recorded with trumpet and
flugelhorn artist, Clark Terry. Here is a
picture of Clark rehearsing the band. The 2003
Jazz Festival featured Peter Erskine and the
2004 Festival featured Mike Stern, both
performing with the NMU Jazz Band.
The Jazz Band is open to music majors and
non-majors by audition. Auditions take place
in the first week of the semester. The band
meets two days per week, Tuesday and Thursday
from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Faculty:
http://www.nmu.edu/music/!FACULTY.HTM
Jazz Events:
http://www.nmu.edu/calendar/main.php?calendar=music
Festival:
Annual NMU Jazz Festival - April
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Northwestern
Michigan College
1701
E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Ph: 800-748-0566
Ph: 231-995-1135, 995-1325
e-Mail: information@nmc.edu
Web Site:
http://www.nmc.edu/humanities/music/
Jazz
Director: Mike Hunter,
Director
Bands:
NMC
Jazz
Big Band, NMC Five-thirty Jazz Lab Band,
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Faculty:
http://www.nmc.edu/staff/staff.html
Jazz
Events: contact the Humanities
Office for calendar updates
Top
Oakland University
Department of
Music, Theatre and Dance
209 Varner Hall
Rochester, MI 48309-4401
Ph: 248-370-2030
Web Site: http://www2.oakland.edu/mtd
Jazz
Director: Miles Brown, Visiting
Professor of Jazz
302 Varner Hall
Ph: 248-370-2871
e-Mail: bassmiles@gmail.com
Bands:
Oakland
Jazz
Singers, Oakland University Jazz Band
Oakland Jazz
Singers
This ensemble performs complex vocal jazz
works and helps singers develop jazz style and
blend, scat singing, solo production and
microphone technique.
-See the Vocal Jazz web
page
for more information-
Oakland University Jazz Band
A fully instrumentated jazz ensemble open to
all Oakland Univ instrumentalists.
Faculty:
http://www.oakland.edu/?id=2763&sid=67
Jazz Events:
http://www.oakland.edu/?id=2807&sid=67
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Saginaw Valley State University
Department
of
Music
7400 Bay Road, Wickes 358
University Center, MI 48710-0001
Ph: 989-964-4159, 964-4062
Ph: 800-968-9500
e-Mail:
music@svsu.edu
Web Site: http://www.svsu.edu/abs/music/index.cfm
Jazz Director: Jeff Hall,
Jazz Artist in Residence
Bands: Jazz Ensemble
Faculty: http://www.svsu.edu/abs/music/
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Spring Arbor
University
106
E. Main St.
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
Ph: 800-968-9103
Web Site:
http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=9037,
http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=15448
Jazz
Director: Mark Garberich,
Assistant Professor of Music
Ph:
517-750-6497
e-Mail: markg@arbor.edu
Bands:
Jazz
Ensemble, Jazz Combo
Faculty:
http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=15488
Jazz Events:
http://www.spring.arbor.edu/Brix?pageID=15468
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University of
Michigan
Department
of
Jazz
and Improvisation Studies
School of Music, Theatre and Dance
E.V. Moore Building
1100 Baits Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2085
Ph: 734-764-0583
Web Site: http://www.music.umich.edu/index.htm
Jazz Director:
Ellen
Rowe,
Professor & Chair, Associate
Professor
of
Jazz
Piano & Improvisation Studies
Ellen
Rowe
Profile
Ph:
734-647-6297
e-Mail: elrowe@umich.edu
Bands: Jazz Ensemble,
Jazz Lab Ensemble, Creative Arts Orchestra, Small Jazz Combos
University of Michigan Jazz
Ensemble - Ellen Rowe, Director
Jazz Ensemble, Ellen Rowe, Director
In addition to regular performances on campus,
the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble
has recorded two CDs, toured in Europe and
performed at jazz festivals and clubs
throughout the Midwest. They have been
featured at the Detroit International Jazz
Festival's Main Stage performing student and
faculty compositions including a premiere of a
work by Jazz Department chair Ed Sarath that
featured guest artists Michael Brecker and
David Liebman. Recent performances
include the 2003 International Association for
Jazz Education Conference with guests Gerald
Wilson and Renee Rosnes, and the San Jose Jazz
Festival. This 20-member big-band
ensemble draws from the top jazz musicians on
campus and focuses on compositions from the
last thirty years.
Jazz Lab
Ensemble, Dennis Wilson,
Director
A traditional big-band jazz ensemble, this
group focuses on historical repertoire from
musicians such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington
and Thad Jones. Through frequent
performances on campus and off, the ensemble
explores the rich history of jazz and the
big-band repertoire.
Creative Arts
Orchestra, Ed Sarath,
Director
The Creative Arts Orchestra is one of the few
ensembles of its kind in the world of
contemporary music. A large improvising
ensemble, the group was founded in 1992 by
Professor Ed Sarath to reflect the eclectic
and global trends that increasingly
characterize our musical landscape.
Membership ranges from 15 to 30 and has
included musicians of all instrumental
categories, dancers, actors and poets.
The ensemble performs and tours regularly
including recent appearances at New York's
Knitting Factory with Gregg Bendian as
featured soloist, and the Bowery Poetry Club
with guest artist Oliver Lake. While
part of the ensemble's programming includes
compositions of students and faculty, the
group most commonly performs entirely
improvised concerts with no parameters set
forth in advance.
Small
Jazz Combos, Robert
Hurst, Coordinator
With weekly coaching from faculty members,
students play in small groups of various
configurations, allowing optimum playing time
and arranging opportunities for each
student. Small Jazz Ensembles give
students the opportunity to explore various
tradition-based approaches to improvisation
through compositional form, while the Jazz
Combos focus on standard and classic
repertoire, including open-ended forms
emphasizing collective improvisation as the
point of departure. Students are
encouraged to contribute their own
compositions as a vehicle for developing
their personal voices.
Faculty:
http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/jazz_improv/index.php
Ellen
Rowe
Chair
&
Associate Professor of Jazz Piano &
Improvisation Studies
Ed
Sarath
Flugelhorn
Professor
of
Jazz and Improvisation Studies
Professor
of
Creativity and Consciousness
Studies
Geri Allen
Associate
Professor of Jazz Piano &
Improvisation Studies
Andrew
Bishop
Visiting
Assistant Professor of Jazz
Composition & Improvisation Studies
Michael
Gould
Associate
Professor of Jazz Percussion &
Improvisation Studies
Robert Hurst
Associate
Professor of Jazz Bass &
Improvisation Studies
Mark Kirschenmann Adjunct Lecturer of
Jazz & Improvisation Studies;
Director, Creative Arts
Orchestra
Dennis
Wilson
Associate
Professor of Jazz Trombone &
Improvisation Studies
Jazz Events:
http://www.music.umich
.edu/performances_events/perf_events.htm
Festival:
University
of
Michigan Jazz Festival -
2nd weekend in February, every even
year
Top
Wayne State University
Department of
Music
4841 Cass Ave.,
Rm. 1353 Old Main
Detroit, Michigan
48202
Ph:
313-577-1795
e-Mail: music@wayne.edu
Web Site:
http://www.music.wayne.edu/jazz.php, http://www.music.wayne.edu/
Jazz Director:
Chris Collins, Professor of
Music, Director of Jazz Studies
Chris Collins
Profile
Ph: 313-577-1780
e-Mail: jazz@wayne.edu
Bands:
Jazz Lab I Big Band, Jazz Lab II Big Band,
Jazz Lab III Big Band, Jazztets and Jazz
Combos, Jazz Guitar Ensemble I, Jazz Guitar
Ensemble II
Jazz Lab I Big
Band (closed to jazz
studies/performance majors only)
Contact: Professor Chris Collins, Director
Wayne State Jazz Lab Band I -
Chris Collins, Director, with special guest
Eddie Daniels
Jazz Lab Band I, WSU's elite big band,
performs a wide range of traditional and
contemporary repertoire. It has played to
enthusiastic audiences at the Montreux,
Switzerland Jazz Festival, The Detroit Jazz
Festival, The Michigan Jazz Festival, and
numerous other public and private venues. This
award winning ensemble is the premiere
performance ensemble in Wayne State's Jazz
Division. Students study, explore, rehearse
and subsequently perform classic jazz, big
band, improvisational, and contemporary
repertoire. Additionally, this ensemble is
responsible for rehearsing student
arrangements/compositions and performing at
the demanding Jazz graduation recitals.
Jazz Lab II
Big Band (open to all university
students; requires audition)
Contact: Professor Russ Miller, Director
Office: 2310, Old Main
Phone: (313) 577-9467
e-Mail: ac5188@wayne.edu
Jazz Lab Band II, the second big band, offers
its members playing experience and an
introduction to jazz literature.
Performs on campus twice a year.
Jazz Lab III
Big Band (open to all university
students and community musicians)
Contact: Ernie Rodgers, Director
e-Mail: ad9394@wayne.edu
Jazz Band III divides into small ensembles,
giving students a chance to work on solo and
improvisational skills. Performs on
campus twice a year.
Jazztets and
Jazz Combos
Contact: Dennis J. Tini, Director
e-Mail: aa5272@wayne.edu
Phone: (313) 577-2545
Jazz Guitar
Ensemble I, Jazz Guitar Ensemble II
Contact: Steven Carryer, Director
Office: 2368, Old Main
Phone: (313) 577-3268
e-Mail: scarryer@wowway.com
The Wayne State Jazz Guitar Ensembles first
began during the winter 1990 semester.
Starting with one ensemble and growing to
three within a year, the ensembles provide a
much needed developmental tool for the
students. The first ensemble began using
charts from the library that Mr. Carryer wrote
and compiled while teaching a guitar ensemble
at Oakland University for nearly 15 years. He
has continued to expand the library to its
current size of over 150 charts in a variety
of styles.
In addition to the biannual campus concerts of
all three ensembles, Guitar Ensemble I has
also performed 4 times at the Aquinas Jazz
Festival and performs occasional concerts off
campus. They also performed at the Plymouth
Music in the Park series and at the Detroit
International Jazz Festival.
Faculty:
http://www.music.wayne.edu/faculty_profiles.php
Jazz
Events: http://www.events.wayne.edu/music/?view=all
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Western Michigan
University
School of Music
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5434
Ph: 269-387-4667
Web Site:
Jazz@WMU
http://www.wmich.edu/jazz/
Jazz
Director: Thomas Knific,
Professor of Double Bass, Jazz
Thomas Knific
Profile
e-Mail: thomas.knific@wmich.edu
Bands:
Gold Company, GCII, University Jazz
Orchestra, University Jazz
Lab Band
Gold Company Vocal Jazz Ensemble
- Dr. Stephen Zegree, Director
Dr. Stephen
Zegree, Director, Gold Company
Ph: 269-387-4689
http://wmugoldcompany.com
A student ensemble specializing in vocal jazz.
The varied repertoire includes every style
from jazz standards to Broadway to the hits of
today. Gold Company presents an exciting,
energetic, dynamic show for all people and all
occasions. Specialty acts and choreography are
included. A very active performance schedule
is maintained in Michigan and other states.
Membership is open to all university students
by audition. Two sections are available.
Michael Wheaton, Director, Gold Company II
Ph: 269-387-4689
An student ensemble specializing in vocal
jazz. The varied repertoire includes every
style from jazz standards to Broadway to the
hits of today. Specialty acts and choreography
are included. GC II participates in major
vocal jazz productions on campus in
conjunction with Gold Company.
University Jazz Orchestra -
Scott Cowan, Director
Scott Cowan, Director, University Jazz
Orchestra
Ph: 269-387-3904
The Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to the
well-prepared performance of big band charts
where careful attention is given to style and
detail. Literature includes both traditional
and contemporary jazz works, and the ensemble
is also available for the reading and
performance of student compositions and
arrangements. An active campus and off-campus
performance schedule is maintained with
extensive touring. Membership is open to all
University students by audition.
Trent Kynaston, Tom Knific, Directors,
University Jazz Lab Band
Contact: Trent Kynaston, Ph:
269-387-4693
Contact: Tom Knific, Ph: 269-387-4710
The Jazz Lab Band is dedicated to the
well-prepared performance of big band charts
where careful attention is given to style and
detail. Literature includes both traditional
and contemporary jazz works, and the ensemble
is also available for the reading and
performance of student compositions and
arrangements. An active campus and off-campus
performance schedule is maintained. Membership
is open to all University students by
audition.
Faculty Ensemble:
Western Jazz
Quartet
Trent Kynaston, saxophone
Steve Zegree, piano
Tim Froncek, drums
Tom Knific, bass
The
Western Jazz Quartet melds the talent,
experience, passion and professionalism of
four gifted musicians whose artistic vision
and performance have garnered international
acclaim. The group's unique ability to blend
culture, education and aesthetics demonstrates
multifaceted versatility that energizes and
tantalizes contemporaries and audiences alike.
Contact: Tom Knific
e-Mail: thomas.knific@wmich.edu
Faculty:
http://www.wmich.edu/jazz/meet-the-faculty/
Tom Knific (Chair) - Bass
John
Campos - Recording Technology
Scott
Cowan - Brass
Duane Shields Davis - Vocal Jazz
Trent
Kynaston
- Saxophone
Robert Ricci
- Composition, Theory, Jazz History
Stephen
Zegree - Piano, Vocal Jazz
Keith Hall -
Drum Set, Drum Choir
Tim Froncek, Visiting Artist; Western Jazz
Quartet
Billy Hart, Visiting
Artist; Drum Set
Fred Hersch, Visiting
Artist; Piano, Composition
Jazz Events:
http://www.wmich.edu/jazz/calendar/
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