Two jazz ensembles make up the core of the program:
The Literature Band focuses on performance of the finest music written for jazz ensemble. It meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:30 - 1:20. It exists for those students who are new to jazz and wish to learn the jazz style. The band also serves those intermediate and advanced students who want to improve their abilities by performing those classic jazz charts like Buddy Rich's "Love for Sale," Count Basie's "Shiny Stockings" or Stan Kenton's "Malaguena." The literature band performs concerts twice a semester.
The Experimental Band provides students the opportunity to develop ensemble, stylistic, and improvisational skills. It meets Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 - 4:00. This ensemble was created to stretch the boundaries of the college jazz band. Adhering to the concepts of Ellington, Mingus, Davis and others, much of the music is learned by rote or the students are asked to invent their own parts. The idea is to have a large ensemble with a unique sound. Approaching big band jazz in this manner creates more potential for creativity among the students and stimulates the learning process of jazz theory, jazz arranging, and the art of listening. This band has been very successful at its local and regional performances as students are pushed further into the realm of individualism.
Jazz Combos are also an important part of the jazz program. These smaller groups perform at all of the on-campus concerts and occasionally play jobs around the metro. The students are in control of these smaller groups. They decide what music they will play, how often they will meet, how they will rehearse and any other details that effect the band. Professor Wilkinson is available to the students for advice and to steer them in the right direction. Some truly memorable music has resulted from these settings.
Musicians are always welcome in the jazz program. You do not need to be a music major or have any experience playing jazz music. If you are interested in joining one of the big bands or playing in a combo setting please contact Professor Wilkinson at 325-1034 or via e-mail.
