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Fine
Arts High School
Interlochen
Center for the Arts
Colleges
and Universities
Adrian
College
Albion
College
Alpena
Community College
Alma
College
Andrews
University
Aquinas
College
Calvin
College
Central
Michigan University
Concordia
College
Cornerstone
University
Delta
College
Eastern
Michigan University
Ferris
State University
Grand
Rapids Community College
Grand
Valley State University
Henry
Ford Community
College
Hillsdale
College
Hope
College
Jackson
Community College
Kalamazoo
College
Kellogg
Community College
Lake
Michigan College
Lansing
Community College
Macomb
Community College - Center Campus
Madonna
University
Marygrove
College
Michigan
State University
Michigan
Technological University
Monroe
County Community College
Mott
Community College
Muskegon
Community College
Northern
Michigan University
Northwestern
Michigan College
Oakland
Community College
Oakland
University
Olivet
College
Rochester
College
Saginaw
Valley State University
Schoolcraft
College
Siena
Heights University
Southwestern
Michigan College
Spring
Arbor University
University
of Michigan
Wayne
State University
Western
Michigan University
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Interlochen
Center for the Arts
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, “Chasin’ 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.
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Faculty: http://www.interlochen.org/academy/faculty/music_3
Bands:
Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo
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.
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.
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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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Awards:
Interlochen Center for the Arts Receives
National Medal of Arts
**
President George W. Bush Honors 10 Recipients **
** in White House Ceremony **
Washington, D.C. - President George W. Bush
honored recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Arts on Thursday,
November 9. Ten medals were presented by the President and Mrs.
Laura Bush in an Oval Office ceremony at the White House. The
National Endowment for the Arts manages the National Medal of Arts
nomination process and notified the artists of their selection to
receive a medal, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.
"These individuals and organizations have all made enduring
contributions to the artistic life of our nation," said National
Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia. "Whether by translating the
masterpieces of Latin American literature or bringing genius to the
design of everyday objects or simply preserving the great musical
heritage of New Orleans, their work has enriched our national culture."
The 2006 National Medal of Arts Recipients:
- William Bolcom, classical composer, Ann
Arbor, MI
- Cyd Charisse, dancer, Los Angeles, CA
- Roy R. DeCarava, photographer, Brooklyn,
NY
- Wilhelmina Holladay, arts patron,
Washington, DC
- Interlochen Center for the Arts, school
of fine arts, Interlochen, MI
- Erich Kunzel, conductor, Cincinnati Pops
Orchestra, Cincinnati, OH
- Preservation Hall Jazz Band, jazz
ensemble, New Orleans, LA
- Gregory Rabassa, literary translator,
Brooklyn, NY
- Viktor Schreckengost, industrial
designer/sculptor, Cleveland, OH
- Dr. Ralph Stanley, bluegrass musician,
Coeburn, VA
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President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura
Bush stand with recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Arts in the
Oval Office Thursday, Nov., 9, 2006. Pictured from left,: Ben Jaffe and
his mother Sandra Jaffe, directo and co-founder of the Preservation
Hall Jazz Band; Literary Translator Gregory Rabassa; Dancer Cyd
Charisse; Photographer Roy DeCarava; Industrial Designer Viktor
Schreckengost; Musician Dr. Ralph Stanley; Arts patron Wilhelmina
Holladay; Composer William Bolcom; Interlochen
Center for the Arts CEO Jeffrey Kimpton; and NEA Chairman Dana
Gola. White House photo by
Paul Morse
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The
National Endowment for the Arts gratefully acknowledges The President's
Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for its support of the 2006
National Medal of Arts.
Established by Congress in 1984, the National Medal of Arts is awarded
to individuals or groups who, in the President's judgment, are
deserving of special recognition for outstanding contributions to the
excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United
States. Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts receives
nominations for the award from across the country. The National Council
on the Arts, the Endowment's advisory body, reviews the nominations and
provides recommendations to the President, who selects the recipients.
The process is secret, and Interlochen was not aware that it was under
consideration.
In announcing the selection, the National Endowment for the Arts
recognized Interlochen both for the extraordinary contributions the
organization has made over its 79-year history and for the dynamic
initiatives of the past few years that are keeping Interlochen on the
cutting edge of arts education today and into the future.
Founded in 1927 as the National High School Orchestra Camp, the
institution soon became known simply as "Interlochen" and quickly
increased in scope to include other arts disciplines and programs. From
an unlikely location in the woods of northern Michigan emerged a
growing cultural and arts community with national influence. Today
Interlochen also encompasses the country’s first boarding high school
in the arts, a public radio network, a year-round arts festival, an
elementary and middle school, and an expanding adult education program.
Nearly 90,000 artists have learned and been inspired at Interlochen and
hundreds of thousands more are engaged annually.
In a press release statement Interlochen President Jeffrey Kimpton
proclaimed, "It
is not an overstatement to say that Interlochen has played a key role
in the developent of high quality music and art programs in public
schools throughout the entire country. In 1928, Interlochen was a
pioneer in the area of arts education. Today, the cross-pollination of
arts that can only be found here continues to attract some of the most
talented and dynamic artists from around the country. After eighty
years, we are still on the leading edge of arts education."
Interlochen Center for the Arts continues to innovate to meet the
changing needs of the arts community. In 2005, Interlochen established
an interdisciplinary high school film program, which draws on the wide
range of talent that already exists at Interlochen; theatre students
appear in the films; writing students work on screenplays; music
students create original scores and visual artists work on the sets. In
October, the new film program moved into the new Aaron and Helen L.
DeRoy Center for Film studies, a 26,000 square foot facility, which
incorporates living space, classrooms, editing rooms and a screening
room. It is the only building of its kind in the country, dedicated to
teaching the art of film to high school students.
In the last three years, Interlochen has also expanded its offerings
for adult education programs. "We are most well-known for inspiring
young artists, but adults continue to seek high quality creative
opportunities and need the arts just as much as our youth. Our College
of Creative Arts gives adults of all ages many opportunities to
fine-tune their skills in an arts discipline - or to explore an
entirely new one," said Kimpton. Programs have included guitar,
New Horizons band, adult band camp, chamber music, early music,
painting, photography and writing seminars. Other programs are
continually being added.
Very few arts education organizations have ever been recognized with
the National Medal of Arts. Kimpton expressed his hopes that the award
will advance opportunities for arts education for everyone. "At this
place where art lives so vibrantly, we bring art into the lives of so
many people. As we move forward, Interlochen will carry on its
tradition of being a leader in the arts by continuing to innovate and
promote the availability of arts programs for everyone - at Interlochen
and everywhere."
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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.php
Jazz
Director: Dr. Marty Marks,
Director of Bands
Ph:
517-264-3879
e-Mail:
mmarks@adrian.edu
Bands: Jazz Ensemble
The
Adrian College Jazz Ensemble provides students with opportunities
for musical growth in rehearsal and performance by participation in a
jazz ensemble. A variety of literature will be used as the medium
to present a diverse exposure to related history and culture, as well
as a forum to develop the crafts of individual and collective musical
artisanship, including jazz articulation and improvisation.
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Faculty: http://adriancollegemusic.org/faculty.htm
Jazz
Events: http://adriancollegemusic.org/calendar.htm
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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
Office:
115,
Goodrich Chapel
Ph:
517-629-0481
e-Mail: jball@albion.edu
James
Ball is
currently Director of Orchestral Activities, Associate Professor of
Conducting, and Director of the Jazz Ensemble at Albion College. He
began his duties at Albion in the fall of 1999 when he was also named
Conductor of the Tecumseh (MI) Pops Orchestra. He has performed a wide
variety of music with a number of professional musical organizations
and institutions during his twenty-five year career. Prior to accepting
his position at Albion College, Dr. Ball served for five years as Music
Director and Conductor of the Danville (IL) Symphony Orchestra. In
recent years he has guest conducted the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic
Orchestra of Zlin in the Czech Republic, Vidin State Philharmonic
Orchestra in Vidin, Bulgaria and the Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra in
Mexico. In 1997 he was one of 50 conductors invited worldwide to
compete in the “Mario Gusella” International Conducting Competition in
Pescara, Italy where he advanced to the semi-final round.
Ball
is the founding
Music Director of the Sandy Springs (GA) Chamber Orchestra and the
founding conductor of “New Ear”, Kansas City’s widely acclaimed
professional contemporary music chamber ensemble. He has also served as
Music Director and Conductor of the Lawrence (KS) Symphony Orchestra
and the Kansas City String Orchestra and has held conducting posts with
the Missouri Symphony Society, the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, the
Atlanta Chamber Orchestra, the Jackson (MI) Youth Symphony Orchestra
and the National Youth Orchestra of Costa Rica. He has also conducted
the Shinsei Nihon Symphony Orchestra in Japan, the Elkhart (IN)
Symphony Orchestra, the Mid-Columbia (WA) Symphony, the Macon (GA)
Symphony, the Kingsport (TN) Symphony, and the Lawrence (KS) Chamber
Players.
Dr.
Ball has taught on
the faculties of the University of Costa Rica, the University of West
Florida, Pensacola Junior College and served as a staff administrator
at the University of Missouri – Kansas City and the Kansas City
American Arts Festival. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of
Music and holds Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University
and Georgia State University. He completed the Doctor of Musical Arts
degree at the Conservatory of Music of the University of Missouri –
Kansas City in 1992. Ball has studied conducting with Theo Alcantra,
Uri Mayer, Frederick Ockwell, and Robert Olson and has attended
workshops and master classes with such noted conductors and composers
as Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Lukas Foss, Maurice
Abravanel, Gustav Meier, William Kraft and David Amram.
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Band: Albion Jazz
Ensemble
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.
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Faculty: http://www.albion.edu/music/faculty.asp
Jazz Events: http://www.albion.edu/music/concertSchedule.asp
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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://www2.alma.edu/academics/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
Faculty: http://www2.alma.edu/academics/music/faculty.htm
Jazz Events: http://www.alma.edu/academics/departments/humanities/music/events
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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,
http://www.alpenacc.edu/se
arch/coursesearch.asp?dept_id=35
Jazz Director: John
Schubert, Jazz
Ensemble Instructor/Director
Bands:
ACC Jazz Ensemble
Faculty: http://www.alpenacc.edu/search/per
sonnelsearch.asp
Jazz
Events: http://www.alpenacc.edu/calendar/default
.asp
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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
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.
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Bands: Aquinas College
Jazz Band
Faculty: http://www.aquinas.edu/music/biosmusic.html
Jazz Events: http://www.aquinas.edu/music/events.html
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Calvin College
Music Department
1795
Knollcrest Circle
SE
Grand
Rapids,
MI 49546-4404
Ph:
616-526-6253
e-Mail:
music@calvin.edu
Web Site: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/music/
, http://www.calvin.edu/academic/mu
sic/ensemble/jazz/
Jazz Director: Dr. James Sawyer,
Jazz Band Director
Ph:
616-526-6253
e-Mail:
music@calvin.edu
Dr.
Sawyer holds a BME
from VanderCook College of Music, a MM in
Trumpet Performance from the University of Michigan and an Ed.D from
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also attended Grambling College
of Lousiana where he was a member of the famous Tiger Marching Band.
Dr.
Sawyer’s career as
a music educator began in 1974 as band director
of a small parochial school in Chicago. He has since taught at every
level of the educational spectrum including Director of Bands at
Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC and Assistant Director of Bands at
the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He taught 13 years in the Grand
Rapids Public Schools. He also performs as a guest conductor and
lecturer across the U.S. His professional performance credits include
leas trumpet for many internationally known artists such as the Bob
Hope Show, the Chi-lites, the Dells, the Four Tops, the Manhattans, the
Temptations, the Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show, the Jim Nabors Show,
and most recently, the Shirley Jones and Bob Newhart Shows as a member
of the Holland Tulip Festival Jazz Orchestra. He is currently
Co-Director at East Kentwood High School.
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Bands: Jazz Band
The Calvin Jazz
Band is a full-size big band [debut concert - 05/04/05], and directed
by Dr. James Sawyer, who is new to the Calvin faculty in the fall
semester 2006.
The
Jazz Ensemble focuses on
playing
a variety of repertoire and
developing improvisational skills and technique. It rehearses on
Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00
p.m.
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Faculty: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/music/fa
culty/
Jazz Events: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/music/c
alendar/
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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, 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, Rob
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).
Rob
performs regularly
on trumpet and saxophones throughout the United States, Canada and
Europe with several notable jazz groups, including: The Woody Herman
Jazz Orchestra, The Kirk MacDonald Quintet, The Steve Haines Quintet,
The Jeff Haas Quintet, and is scheduled to tour this fall with Terri
Lyne Carrington and Dianne Reeves.
Rob
can be heard on
several recordings, including: “Step By Step” – The Terry Lower Quintet
(2005); “Itchin’ To Groove” – Jim Cooper Quintet (2004); “Beginner’s
Mind” – Steve Haines Quintet (Artist House – 2002); “HaGesher Chai –
The Bridge Lives” – Jeff Haas Trio & Friends (2001); “Live At The
Montreaux – Detroit Jazz Festival” – Larry Nozero (2000). “Live in
London at Ronnie Scott’s” – The Woody Herman Jazz Orchestra (1999);
“New Beginnings” – Kirk MacDonald Septet (1998); “Sherman Mitchell
& Friends” & “Sherm, In n’ Out”; various recordings by the
group, Mind’s Eye.
Bands: Jazz Lab I, Jazz
Central, JazzBone
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, JazzBone ensemble and jazz percussion groups. Auditions for
jazz bands generally take place the first week of classes.
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Faculty: http://www.mus.cmich.edu/facstaff.htm
Jazz Events: http://www.mus.cmich.edu/musicevents.htm
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Concordia
University
Department
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/cuarts/
Jazz Director: Sean Dobbins,
Professor of Jazz Studies
Ph:
734-995-7484
e-Mail:
dobbis@cuaa.edu
Bands: Jazz Ensemble
Faculty: http://www.cuaa.edu/aboutCUA
A/directory.asp?sub_cat_id=A
Jazz Events: http://www.cuaa.edu/cuarts/?d_id=1315
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Eastern
Michigan University
Department
of Music
& Dance
411
Pray Harrold
Ypsilanti,
Michigan 48197
Ph:
734-487-4380
e-Mail:
dave.woike@emich.edu
Web Site: http://www.emich.edu/music/index.html
Jazz Director: Donald Babcock,
Trombone, Assistant
Professor
Ph:
734-487-6842
e-Mail:
donald.babcock@emich.edu
Donald
Babcock is an
Assistant Professor in the Department of Music & Dance where he
teaches trombone and jazz. He previously taught at North Central Bible
College and Lansing Community College. He is frequently in residence at
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in the summers.
As a teacher,
performer, and clinician, Babcock is busy throughout the Detroit-Metro
area. He currently plays principal trombone in the Ann Arbor Symphony
and the Michigan Chamber Brass. He visits local schools and gives
frequent solo recitals.
Other
recent symphony
performances have been with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Lansing
Symphony, and Kalamazoo Symphony. Band performances include a select
Blue Lake Festival Band performance under Dr. Harry Begian at the
Midwest Band and Orchestra Convention in Chicago, IL. Jazz performances
have been with the Paul Keller Jazz Orchestra, Ann Arbor Jazz Bones and
the Blue Lake Monster.
Babcock
has studied
with Curtis Olson, Vern and Jan Kagarice, Thomas Ashworth, Nick Keelan,
and Dudley Bright. Dr. Babcock holds a DMA from Michigan State
University, and a Master of Music from the University of Minnesota -
Twin Cities. He completed both a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of
Arts in Mathematics from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.
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Bands: Jazz Ensemble,
Jazz Combo
Faculty: http://www.emich.edu/music/html/faculty.html
Jazz Events: http://www.emich.edu/music/html/events.html
Ph:
734-487-2255
- Music Events Hotline
e-Mail:
emu.musicevents@emich.edu
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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.
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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
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
Fall
Jazz Night
Tues, Oct 23,
2007; 7:30 pm, FREE ADMISSION
An evening of jazz
presented by the GRCC Shades of Blue & Jazz
Orchestra
GRCC Music Center Recital
Hall (Room 200)
Winter Jazz Night
Tues, Feb 20, 2008; 7:30 pm, FREE ADMISSION
An evening of jazz
presented by the GRCC Shades of Blue & Jazz
Orchestra
GRCC Music
Center Recital Hall (Room
200)
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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
Jazz
Orchestra
Tim
Froncek, Director
October 18, 2007, 8
PM Free Admission
Louis Armstrong
Theatre, PAC
Jazz Orchestra
Tim
Froncek, Director
November 26, 2007, 8
PM Free Admission
Louis Armstrong
Theatre, PAC
Jazz Orchestra
Tim
Froncek, Director
April 1, 2008, 8
PM Free Admission
Louis Armstrong
Theatre, PAC
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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 – professional or amateur – 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 ‘a 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:
Top
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.
|
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
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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/academic/degrees/jazzstudies.php
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 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.
|
Jazz Band I, Rodney Whitaker,
conductor
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 Derrick
Gardner,
conductor
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.
Vocal
Jazz Ensemble, Sunny
Wilkinson, conductor
The MSU Vocal Jazz
Ensemble is comprised of seven singers and four rhythm section players,
including piano, bass, drums and congas. MSU Assistant Professor of
Vocal Jazz Sunny Wilkinson, who just went from a part-time to full-time
faculty member in fall 2004, established the group to help students
sing in close harmony, develop their musicianship, and deepen their
understanding of jazz music. They also get experience singing with a
sound system and working with a rhythm section.
Octet II & Octet III, Diego
Rivera, conductor
Jazz Combos,
Rick
Roe, conductor
Super Sax Ensemble, Christopher
Bullock, 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 |
|
Derrick
Gardner |
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
|
|
Rick
Roe |
Assistant
Professor of Jazz Piano
|
|
Sunny
Wilkinson |
Assistant
Professor of Vocal Jazz
|
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/professorsofjazz/
(L-R,
Diego Rivera, Rodney Whitaker, Sunny Wilkinson, Derrick Gardner, Randy
Gilespie, Rick Roe)
|
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Michigan
Technological University
Department
of Fine
Arts - 209 Walker
1400 Townsend Dr.
Houghton, MI 49931
Ph: 906-487-2067
e-Mail: fineart-at-mtu.edu
Web Site: http://www.fa.mtu.edu/music.shtml
Jazz Director:
Michael Irish,
Associate Professor, Director of Jazz Studies
Ph:
906-487-2145
e-Mail: mjirish-at-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.
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.fa.mtu.edu/events.htm
|
Top
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 — a program operated by
Genesee Intermediate School District — 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
For
2008-09
performances contact the Fine Arts Office
Phone: (810) 762-0459
Email: Debbie.Killian@mcc.edu
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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.
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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: 13 Annual NMU
Jazz Festival
(planned for Friday, April 17, 2009)
http://www.nmu.edu/music/99jazfst.htm
Headliners to be
announced; High School and
Middle
School jazz bands in the region are invited. The registration fee
is
$200 per ensemble.
Space is limited
and participation is on a first come, first serve basis.
Registration
deadline is March 9, 2009.
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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
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Oakland
University
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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
Ph:
734-647-6297
e-Mail: elrowe@umich.edu
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Bands: Jazz
Ensemble,
Jazz Lab I, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Creative Arts Orchestra
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,
Geri Allen, 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.htm
, http://www.music.umich.edu/
faculty_staff/index_dept.lasso
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|
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
|
|
William
Lucas |
Adjunct
Assistant
Professor of Trumpet
|
|
Martha
Travers |
Lecturer
Jazz & Improvisation
Studies, Literature Science and Arts & Residential College
|
|
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 -
Postponed til February 2010
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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: Christopher Collins, Professor of Music,
Director
of Jazz Studies
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
Christopher Collins, Director
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: Ernest
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: http://www.wmich.edu/music/
Jazz Director: Thomas Knific
(1987), Double Bass, Jazz
e-Mail: thomas.knific@wmich.edu
Adept as both a
classical and jazz musician, Knific has been principal bassist of
orchestras in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. He
has performed as soloist and in
chamber music festivals in Europe, Canada, and the United States.
As a jazz
musician he has appeared throughout Europe, Central and South America,
Asia, Canada, and the United States, including the Aspen festival, IAJE
conferences, and the International Society of Bassists
Conference.
Knific has toured and recorded with Dave Brubeck, Randy Brecker, Art
Farmer, Billy Hart, Gene Bertoncini, Harvey Mason, John Abercrombie,
Toots Thielemans, Eric Marienthal, Kenny Werner, and others. He
has taught at the Interlochen Arts
Academy, Michigan State University, and the Cleveland Institute; he
also has given over 100 master classes world wide. His recordings
span the Universal, Mercury, Polonia, Koch International, SMF,
Jazzheads, New Albany, and Sea Breeze labels.
His students perform
in orchestras on three continents and have toured with major jazz
artists including John Scofield and Betty Carter. Knific is
president-elect of the
International Society of Bassists.
Bands: Gold
Company, GCII, University
Jazz Orchestra, University
Jazz Lab Band
Gold Company Vocal
Ensemble
Stephen
Zegree,
Director, Gold Company
Ph: 269-387-4689
http://www.wmich.edu/goldcompany/
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.
Kelly Ann Westgate,
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.
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.
Web Site: http://www.wmich.edu/wjq/
Primary Contact: Tom
Knific
e-Mail: knific@wmich.edu
Faculty: http://www.wmich.edu/music/areas/som_areas_jazz-studies.html
Tom Knific (Chair) -
Bass
John Campos -
Recording Technology
Scott Cowan -
Brass
Trent Kynaston -
Saxophone
Robert Ricci -
Composition, Theory
Diana Spradling
-
Vocal Jazz
Stephen Zegree -
Piano, Vocal Jazz
Tim Froncek -
Drum Set
Keith Hall -
Drum Set,
Drum Choir
Billy Hart -
Drums
(Visiting Faculty Artist)
Fred Hersch -
Piano
(Visiting
Faculty Artist)
Jazz Events:
http://www.wmich.edu/music/calendar/index.html
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