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Jazz Studies

by admin-oasis — last modified 2009-08-11 09:41
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Jazz at UNC-Chapel Hill

Information regarding jazz courses, jazz ensembles, and how to prepare for jazz auditions, as well as jazz faculty contact information is posted below.  For further assistance with any inquiries that may not be answered by reading this page, please feel free to contact Professor James Ketch (Director of Jazz Studies) or Dr. Stephen Anderson (Jazz Studies [jazz piano] and Composition). 

                        UNC Jazz Band with Vanguard

Jazz Track Courses

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

Individual Applied Instruction in Jazz

Private instruction in jazz is offered for trumpet, piano, bass, and drums.  For more information see the course listings in the Undergraduate Bulletin and contact the individual lesson instructors (contact information provided below). 

MUSC 200 Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard
MUSC 203 Advanced Individual Lessons in Strings
MUSC 205 Advanced Individual Lessons in Brass 
MUSC 206 Advanced Individual Lessons in Percussion
MUSC 207 Advanced Applied Instruction

Front Line jazz innovators concert

Information About 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 - How to Prepare

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 7th (at least); major, dominant, minor, half-diminished, and diminished in eighth-notes with a metronome.

Alex Van Gils and BrittonFor 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

12 Bar Blues

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

Jazz Faculty - Contact Information

James Ketch
Director of Jazz Studies, Trumpet
Office:  Kenan Music Building 2125
Email: jketch@email.unc.edu
Phone:  919-962-7560
Artist Webpage: http://jimketch.com/
Video Links:  youtube video

Stephen Anderson
Jazz Studies (jazz piano) and Composition
Office: Kenan Music Building 2119
Email: anderssr@email.unc.edu
Phone: 919-843-7902
Artist Webpage: http://artiststephenanderson.com/
Video Links:  youtube video 1,  youtube video 2

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

Jason Foureman
Bass Private Instruction
Office:  104 Hill Hall
Email: foureman@gmail.com
Phone:  336-510-8530

Thomas Taylor
Drum Set Private Instruction  
Office:  108 Hill Hall
Email:  Thomasdrum@aol.com
Phone: 919-962-1039
Artist Webpage:  http://www.thomasdrum.com/
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