Jazz Performance Ensembles

The Jazz Studies Program has several groups for the students to participate in.

Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Standards Combo
Chamber Jazz
Jazz Combos

Each group is open to all University of Alabama students by audition. Audition requirements include: sightreading, stylistic concepts, improvisation (optional, except for the Jazz Standards Combo), etc.

Auditions for all Jazz performance groups are:

TBA

Jazz Ensemble:

Directed by Tom Wolfe. The UA Jazz Ensemble provides a professional atmosphere for students interested in the many aspects of jazz. This award winning group has performed at numerous jazz festivals, including: Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, Mobile Jazz Festival, Wichita Jazz Festival to name a few and performs throughout the region in schools and conferences. Its repertoire covers musical styles from the 1940s to contemporary arrangements, including those written and arranged by students. This group is the nucleus for the Hilaritas ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is open by audition to any student, regardless of major.

The Jazz Ensemble also performs a Big Band Tribute concert every spring semester. The purpose of this series is to focus on the music of a particular group, giving the students and audience a look into the rich heritage of the big band repertoire. For each concert, the Jazz Studies program brings in a guest artist who performed with the featured band. Previous concerts have featured:

Spring 1996	Count Basie	Guest Artist: Cleveland Eaton, bass
Spring 1997	Stan Kenton	Guest Artist: Rick Condit, saxophone
Spring 1998	Woody Herman	Guest Artist: Birch Johnson, trombone
Spring 1999	The Dance Bands	Guest Artists: Mary Earle Ogletree & Dr. Susan Fleming, vocalists
Spring 2000	The Music of Sammy Nestico
Spring 2001	The Music of Steve Sample	Guest Artists: Jazz Ensemble Alumni
Spring 2002	The Music of The Thad Jones/Mell Lewis Orchestra	Guest Artist: John Mosca, trombone
Spring 2003	The Music of Bob Mintzer: The Incredible Journey	Guest Artist: Shane Porter, trumpet (UA Jazz Alumni)
Spring 2004	The Music of Paul Ferguson	Guest Artist: Paul Ferguson, trombonist/composer
Spring 2005	The Music of Artie Shaw	Guest Artist: Gaines Brake, clarinet (UA Jazz Alumni)
Spring 2006	"Kansas City Suite" - The Music of Bennie Carter
Spring 2007	Jazz Ensemble and the Trumpet	Guest Artist: Ken Watters & Shane Porter, trumpet

Upcoming Performances
Jazz Calendar

Jazz Standards Combo:

Directed by Prof. Christopher Kozak. This small group performs from the jazz standard repertoire, emphasising improvisation. The Jazz Standards Combo also performs a lecture-concert entitled, "What is Jazz?". This program, designed for elementary students, is a brief look into the history of Jazz. The Jazz Standards Combo is open by audition to any student, regardless of major.

Upcoming Performances
Jazz Calendar

Chamber Jazz:

Directed by Tom Wolfe. This group is an off-shoot of the Jazz Ensemble. Each spring semester, this ensemble performs a lecture concert focusing on music from the jazz repertoire that is not as familiar as the standard repertoire. Previous concerts have been

Upcoming Performances
Jazz Calendar

Jazz Band & Jazz Combos:

Directed by Thomas Furlough, GTA; Christopher Kozak; Nathan Holaway. These groups offer the students the opportunity to develop their improvisation skills and learn basic jazz repertoire and jazz performance practices. The Jazz Combos and Jazz Band are open by audition to any student, regardless of major.

Upcoming Performances
Jazz Calendar

For more information, please contact Tom Wolfe at twolfe@bama.ua.edu or 205-348-1476.