Jazz Ensembles

Students who wish to major in music and emphasize jazz performance should pursue the following jazz track and take the courses sequentially according to the prerequisites listed below.  It is recommended that students take the “Jazz Track Courses” early during their studies at UNC to allow time to build artistry throughout the remaining undergraduate years.

MUSC 135 Jazz Harmony (prerequisite MUSC 131)

MUSC 163 Jazz Improvisation 1 (prerequisite MUSC 135)

MUSC 169 Jazz Composition & Arranging (prerequisite MUSC 135)

MUSC 263 Jazz Improvisation 2 (prerequisite MUSC 135 and MUS 163)

Ensembles

MUSC 212 Jazz Band (no prerequisite)

MUSC 214.005 Jazz Combos (no prerequisite but MUSC 135 strongly encouraged!)

History Courses

 MUSC 145 Introduction Jazz History

MUSC 280 Jazz Innovators

Private Lessons in Jazz

(for course listings in private instruction, click here)

Jazz Ensembles

There is a strong tradition of high-caliber jazz performance at UNC-CH.  Typically there are one or two jazz bands and four jazz combos, depending on the number of students participating each year.  The UNC-CH Jazz Band and combos provide concerts on campus twice each semester, and these concerts are often given in conjunction with guest artists.  In this setting, students have the opportunity to be coached by these artists and perform with them on stage.  In recent years, the Jazz Band and combos have hosted and performed with the Marcus Roberts Trio, Wycliffe Gordon, Jamey Aebersold, Phil Degreg, Greg Gisbert, the Lynn Seaton Trio, Harry Waters, and many others.  The combos also frequently perform at a variety of venues in the Chapel Hill area.

The jazz band is directed by Jim Ketch, and the combos are coached by Jim Ketch, Ed Paolantonio, and Stephen Anderson.

Auditions

Auditions are held each semester for both the jazz band and jazz combos to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.  Students auditioning should prepare a standard tune (see suggested list below), memorizing the melody and chord progression.  A basic scenario is to play the melody first, improvise a few choruses over the form, and play the melody to end.  It is encouraged that those auditioning prepare well in advance in order to demonstrate their best abilities.  The auditions are normally held during the first few days of each semester and information is posted a few weeks prior to the first day of classes on the jazz bulletin board—near the entrance of Hill Hall 107.  Please check the bulletin board prior to each semester for specific information, including sign up times.

In addition to performing a standard tune, those auditioning will be asked to sight read short excerpts, and may be asked to demonstrate knowledge and ability to play scales and chord arpeggios.  It is strongly recommended that students be prepared to play major and harmonic minor scales, as well as chord arpeggios of the basic chord qualities up to the 7^th (at least); major, dominant, minor, half-diminished, and diminished in eighth-notes with a metronome.

For rhythm section players:  Pianists and guitarists should demonstrate the ability to play chord voicings.  Bass players should be able to walk a bass line, play in two, and demonstrate knowledge of other styles.  Drummers should display facility of several styles (i.e., medium swing, fast swing, ballad tempo with brushes, bossa nova, samba, and other Latin styles).  Drummers are also encouraged to prepare a standard tune, voicing the melodic rhythm on the instrument, and then improvising while keeping the form.  Further, drummers might be asked to trade fours with themselves (i.e., time for 4 bars, solo for 4 bars etc.).

Singers should prepare for auditions similarly to instrumentalists, demonstrating the capacity to sing chord arpeggios and scales.  Singers should also select and memorize a standard song to perform at the audition.  It may be helpful to bring a copy of the music (i.e., lead sheet) for the accompanist.

Sample Repertoire/Tune List

Au Privave
Bag’s Groove
Blues By Five 
C Jam Blues
Now’s The Time
Straight No Chaser

• Standard Tunes

  All of Me
  All the Things You Are
  Autumn Leaves
  Beautiful Love
  Black Orpheus  
  Blue Bossa
  The Days of Wine and Roses
  Doxy
  Four
  Green Dolphin Street
  Have You Met Miss Jones
  Just Friends
  Oleo
  Out of Nowhere
  Satin Doll
  Softly As a Morning Sunrise
  Solar
  Song for My Father
  Stella by Starlight
  Summer Time
  There Will Never Be Another You
  

• The UNC-Chapel Hill Jazz Faculty

James Ketch
Director of Jazz Studies, Trumpet
Office:  105 Hill Hall
Email: jketch@email.unc.edu
Phone:  919-962-7560

Stephen Anderson
Jazz Studies (piano) and Composition
Office: Hill Hall 218
Email: anderssr@email.unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-1039

Edmund Paolantonio
Jazz Piano Private Instruction, Jazz Combos
Office: 210 Hill Hall
Email: paolo@email.unc.edu
Phone: 919-843-2044

John Brown
Bass Private Instruction
Office:  104 Hill Hall
Email: johnbrown@unc.edu
Phone:  919-962-1039

Thomas Taylor
Drum Set Private Instruction  
Office:  108 Hill Hall
Email:  Thomasdrum@aol.com
Phone: 919-962-1039