2010 News archive

Alumni update from Gary Michaels

01/06/2010 - 2:18pm


Gary Michaels attended the UNT Jazz Program in 1968, 1969 and 1970.
He sends this update:
"I am the Founder/Creative Director of MTI Studios Portland-Los Angeles-New York, an advertising music production company with over 5,000 clients throughout the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. See mtistudios.net. I'm currently working as the Executive Producer on a CD project with "Blue Lou" Marini and Emmy-winning Los Angeles film composer/pianist, Misha Segal. (Misha's a Berklee guy but we won't hold that against him.) The project is in mastering and will be out in February 2010. A North Texas Jazz education just keeps on giving. On a day-in-day-out basis, after 40 years, I'm still working with many of my old classmates as well as other alums from the UNT Jazz Program. Going to North Texas was the best thing I ever did.
Congratulations to the One O'Clock Band for their Grammy Nominations."
photo source

Midlake releases "The Courage of Others"

01/09/2010 - 2:51pm

Midlake, the band whose members met in the UNT jazz studies program, has released their third album, "The Courage of Others." You can listen to two tracks from it at their site. Tim Smith, Eric Pulido, and McKenzie Smith are interviewed by Anna-Lynne Williams at identitytheory.com. I thought this statement by McKenzie Smith was interesting: "We all had to stop playing rock music like jazz music students, which took awhile, but now our jazz backgrounds are being used more and more in the way of improvisation on the new album." Tim Smith is interviewed by Tom Breihan at pitchfork. There are some useful ideas about using their jazz backgrounds in new ways and using the internet to learn about new music.--John Murphy

"Jungle Juice" by Evan Weiss

01/09/2010 - 4:05pm

Jungle Juice (excerpt) by northtexasjazz
This is an excerpt of "Jungle Juice" by former UNT student Evan Weiss. It's track one on "E'tranger: Jazz Chamber Vol. 1" (2007), the third CD compilation of recordings from our small program, which Stefan Karlsson oversees. Blair Fix, drums; Joe Johnson, bass; Ian Sinclair, piano; Evan Weiss, trumpet, composer; Chris Bullock, tenor saxophone. One of the 25-30 small groups in the University of North Texas Jazz Studies Division. Available for purchase on this site. I found out about SoundCloud yesterday and really liked their infrastructure for sharing and commenting on music--and their player.--John Murphy

Doug Talley receives Kansas "Arts in Education Award"

01/11/2010 - 1:13pm

Saxophonist and alumnus Doug Talley has received the Arts in Education award for his work in jazz education by the Kansas Arts Commission. Videos of his work can be found on Doug's site.

The New One O'Clock iPhone App is Live!

01/15/2010 - 4:42pm


The UNT One O'Clock Lab Band now has its own iPhone App (mobile smart phone application). This is a direct portal to all that the One O'Clock is up to as well as a two-way communication stream where you can upload photos and comments about shows, hear tracks, make comments and "tweet" directly onto the "Fan Wall" feature. You can even see a map and get GPS-directions to any One O'Clock event instantly.

To learn how to download this App go to:
http://www.jazz.unt.edu/oneoclock/AppandWidget.html

UNT alum RC Williams profiled

01/16/2010 - 11:50am

Keyboardist and UNT alum RC Williams is profiled by Sarah Crisman.

Shilah Phillips performs for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

01/19/2010 - 2:36pm

Current Shilah Phillips was the featured vocalist at the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Washington State University, Tri-Cities, in Kennewick, Washington on Jan. 15, 2010.

Derek Molacek, Isaac Lamar join USAF Band of the Golden West

01/19/2010 - 2:39pm

UNT alumni Derek Molacek (trombone) and Isaac Lamar (saxophone) won the auditions for the USAF Band of the Golden West recently.  They will start basic training on March 30 for an early June start date.  The band is located at Travis Air Force Base which is about halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco.

Tim Schleinat will go to National Trumpet Competition

01/19/2010 - 2:41pm

Current student Tim Schleinat will compete in the semi-finals of the National Trumpet Competition in the jazz division in March, 2010. The UNT Trumpet Ensemble will also compete.

Two O'Clock Lab Band CDs reviewed

01/19/2010 - 2:49pm

At allaboutjazz.com, Jack Bowers reviews two CDs by The Two O'Clock Lab Band CD under the direction of Jim Riggs:
Bruce Hall Jazz Music | Denton, Texas Jazz Giant

Paris Rutherford forms new a cappella ensemble

01/19/2010 - 2:55pm

Paris's new ensemble, The New Collection, will have its first performances in March.

Yes, there will be a Spring Lab Band Concert (Lab Band Madness) this Spring

01/21/2010 - 3:56pm

This year we are experimenting with doing the Spring Lab Band Concert (Lab Band Madness) outdoors at the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival.

On Saturday, April 24, 2010 from noon to 9 p.m., all nine lab bands will play on the UNT Showcase Stage at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival. We're trying this alternative to the 4-hour concert in Winspear Hall in an effort to make the music of the lab bands and student composers more accessible to the public, especially school groups. Each group will have 50 minutes to play and the concert will be recorded. The UNT Showcase Stage is a new stage at the festival, located between the Senior Center and the pool, with lots of shade and easy access from Bell Avenue for loading in and out and for school buses to let passengers out. We will be contacting schools in a wide radius to let them know about this event. UNT Jazz groups and other College of Music ensembles will be featured on the Showcase stage on all three days of the festival.

One O'Clock Lab Band California Tour Dates

01/22/2010 - 5:47pm

University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band
2010 California Tour Concerts

Friday, January 29, 6:30 pm
Rolling Hills Church
800 White Rock Rd.
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Tickets: $15 www.FolsomMusic.org $20 at door if available

Saturday, January 30, 6:00 pm
Folsom Jazz Festival
Rolling Hills Church
800 White Rock Rd., El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Tickets: Jazz Festival Attendees only

Sunday, January 31, 9:30 am
UNT Alumni Brunch
Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Gold Room (213) 624-1011
506 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tickets: By Invitation,

Karen.Selby@unt.edu

940-565-3480

Monday, February 1, 7:30 pm
San Jose State University School of Music Concert Hall
South Seventh St. and San Carlos
San Jose, CA 95192
Tickets: $20

Aaron.Lington@sjsu.edu

(408) 924-4636

Tuesday, February 2, 7:30 pm
Fresno City College Theatre
1101 East University Avenue
Fresno, CA 93704
Tickets: $18 General Adm., $15 senior/ JazzFresno, $12 student (559) 442-8221

Wednesday, February 3, 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm
Catalina Jazz Club
6725 W. Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Tickets: $15 w/dinner or 2 bev. min. www.CatalinaJazzClub.com (323) 466-2210

Thursday, February 4, 7:00 pm
McKinney Theatre, Saddleback College
28000 Marguerite Pkwy
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Tickets: $10 www.saddleback.edu/arts (949) 582-4656

Three reviews of Two O'Clock Lab Band CDs

01/24/2010 - 12:11pm

Bruce Hall Jazz Music (2009)
Review from allaboutjazz.com
Denton, Texas Jazz Giant (2009)
Review from allaboutjazz.com
Avenue 'C' Jazz (2009)
Review from allaboutjazz.com

Haiti benefit activities planned

01/24/2010 - 1:52pm

There will be College of Music activities to benefit Haiti. UNT jazz groups will participate. Details will be posted here.

Grammy pre-tel ceremony will be streamed

01/26/2010 - 11:37am

The awards ceremony that happens in the afternoon, before the nationally-televised awards ceremony, is called the "pre-tel."
This is the ceremony where the awards that the One O'Clock Lab Band is up for will be announced.
The pre-tel will be streamed live at the Grammy Live site starting at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.
Here's the announcement about the video streaming broadcast.

One O'Clock Lab Band video on CBS 11 TV - Dallas

01/26/2010 - 10:40pm

Link to video from the Jan. 25, 2010 report.

UNT at the Grammys

01/29/2010 - 1:10pm

Various kinds of Grammy news, including twitter updates, are being aggregated on this site:

Brad Leali CD wins Independent Music Award

01/29/2010 - 1:21pm


Brad Leali played on the CD "Echoes of Ethnicity" by Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets, on the Owl Studio Label, which has just won an Independent Music Award for best Jazz Album. This page lists the winners. Here's the page for this album at Owl Studios.

Black History Month Events 2010

01/29/2010 - 1:27pm


The Jazz Studies event is the Tribute to Cannonball Adderley by Brad Leali, Mike Steinel, and friends on Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. in Kenton Hall.

Will Campbell's CD "Think Tank" reviewed

02/07/2010 - 12:08pm

The CD "Think Tank" by saxophonist and alumnus Will Campbell is reviewed at allaboutjazz.com. Stefan Karlsson played on this CD.

Roberta Gambarini at McDavid Studio Feb. 16

02/14/2010 - 6:50pm


Vocalist Roberta Gambarini will be joined by Stefan Karlsson (piano), Lynn Seaton (bass), Ed Soph (drums) at McDavid Studio in Ft. Worth on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 at 7:30. Purchase tickets online

Tatiana Mayfield-Erskine Hawkins CD reviewed

02/18/2010 - 12:17pm

"From All Directions" gets a strongly positive review by Harvey Siders at allaboutjazz.com.

Lyle Mays Feb. 25: Limited number of seats remaining

02/18/2010 - 4:52pm

As of the morning of Feb. 25, a limited number of seats are available for tonight's concert. These can be purchased at www.thempac.com.
================
The concert by Lyle Mays with jazz faculty and the One O'Clock Lab Band on Feb. 25 at Winspear Hall at UNT will be very special. Lyle has prepared new music for small and large ensemble. For the One O'Clock Lab Band portion the instrumentation has been greatly expanded. This will be a very special concert and it will not be streamed live. Tickets can be purchased at www.thempac.com. Hope to see you there!

Become a Fan of our new Page on Facebook

02/27/2010 - 2:25pm

The UNT Jazz Studies Division has had a Facebook presence since fall 2008 as a Profile. Recently I learned that Profiles are only for individuals. Today I created a Page, which is what organizations use, and began inviting Friends of the Profile to become Fans of the Page.

The new Page is facebook.com/northtexasjazz.

If you are a current Friend of the NorthTexas Jazz Profile (now located at facebook.com/untjazzstudies) and would like to continue to receive updates about our program, please visit the new Page at facebook.com/northtexasjazz and become a Fan, and then unfriend the Profile. That way I know which Friends to contact individually to invite them to become Fans of the new Page.

If you are not yet a Facebook Friend, and would like to receive news about the program, please visit the new Page and become a Fan.

Thanks

John Murphy
Chair and web-person
UNT Jazz Studies

Paris Rutherford's new group and the correct performance dates

02/28/2010 - 7:37pm

Paris Rutherford's new a cappella group, The New Collection, is featured in an article by Lucinda Breeding in today's Denton Record-Chronicle. The performance dates in the article are incorrect. Here are the correct ones:
Sunday March 7th FREE at 3:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation auditorium, 602 N. Old Orchard Lane in Lewisville.
Monday night, March 8th at 7:30 pm in Ft Worth at McDavid Studio/Bass Hall.
Purchase tickets for the McDavid Studio performance

Adjunct instructor spotlight: Jason Levi

03/03/2010 - 1:20pm

Jason Levi is teaching our new Music Business Entrepreneurship class in Spring 2010.

 

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jason moved to the Dallas metroplex in 1999 to study at the University of North Texas where he received his Bachelor and Master degrees in jazz studies. While pursuing the graduate degree he directed the 4:00 and 5:00 lab bands, was a full-time teaching-fellow in Jazz Aural Skills and Jazz History and a member of the One O'clock lab band in 2004-2007, recording 6 albums with the band including Live in Thailand, Live At Blues Alley and Labs 2004-2007.

 

In 2004 he co-founded Bell's Super Lube, a musical instrument lubricant company, now found on music store shelves throughout the country. Interested in business, Jason began study for an MBA degree and has completed 25 hours of MBA classes. Astounded with how much a business education helped him in his music career, he began to teach business fundamentals to other musicians and work as a small business creative consultant. Mr. Levi now teaches Music Industry Entrepreneurship class, the first class of its kind at UNT aimed towards musician-entrepreneurs.

Jason performs regularly in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in groups such as The Project Band, Ricki Derek big band, Rebel Alliance Jazz Ensemble, and The Official Texas Jazz Orchestra. He published Fathers of First Trumpet in 2009, a book that stylistically analyzes the masters of lead trumpet playing. He has performed with The Temptations, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Patti Austin, the Dallas Wind Symphony, Wayne Bergeron, Rufus Reid, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, Bill Holman, Pete Christlieb, Houston Person, among many others.

Website: www.jasonlevi.net

 

30 Years of Vocal Jazz DVD

03/06/2010 - 12:26am


The 30 Years of Vocal Jazz concert DVD is available now in the Jazz Studies office.
When the DVD of the Nov. 22, 2008 event honoring Neil Slater and Jim Riggs is ready, it will be publicized here.

New website design coming soon

03/06/2010 - 12:30am

This site's theme will change to a UNT theme over spring break.
All of the content will remain in more or less the location it is in now.

New website design

03/26/2010 - 8:43pm

On March 26, 2010 we changed the website theme to a custom UNT-branded theme designed by UNT's expert Central Web Services staff. All of the content is the same. The news items that had been on the main page can all be found by following the News - current link in the Contents menu.

Travel to Ireland with the One O'Clock Lab Band

03/26/2010 - 9:11pm

UNT's Center for Achievement and Lifelong Learning (CALL) is organizing a trip to Ireland with the One O'Clock Lab Band from October 18 to October 26, 2010. For more information, see the CALL website or contact Dianne Gibbons at dianne.gibbons@unt.edu. August 20 is the deadline to complete your reservation.

Lou Marini releases "Highly Classified" CD

03/27/2010 - 12:45pm

Lou Marini’s new CD, “Highly Classified” was released March 23rd. Hardcopies and downloads are available for purchase.

Bassist Michael Formanek at Jazz Lecture Series, McDavid Studio

03/29/2010 - 10:05pm


Bassist Michael Formanek is our Jazz Lecture Series guest artist on March 30, 2010. He will play at McDavid Studio in Ft. Worth with Stefan Karlsson and Ed Soph, who have just returned from a trip to Sweden and Finland with students, at 7:30 p.m. on March 30.

Herb Ellis dies at 88

03/31/2010 - 8:26am

Guitarist Herb Ellis, a UNT alumnus, has died at age 88. See his obituary in the New York Times, an article by Tom Cole at NPR, and an NPR story.


Herb Ellis interviewed at the University of North Texas on April 4, 1997.
Click on image to download video in .m4v format.
Click here to download it in .avi format.

Vincent Gardner at Jazz Lecture Series, McDavid Studio

04/03/2010 - 11:45am


Trombonist Vincent Gardner is our Jazz Lecture Series guest artist for April 6, 2010. He plays that night at McDavid Studio at 7:30 p.m. with Stefan Karlsson, Lynn Seaton, and Mike Drake. Buy tickets.

Win Pat Metheny concert tickets, CDs

04/05/2010 - 6:07pm


We held a contest to win the new Pat Metheny CD "Orchestrion" and a pair of tickets to see him live at Nokia Grand Prairie on April 13th.
Three winnners were chosen on April 9.
The new CD is available at Best Buy and Hastings or at www.patmetheny.com. Thanks to Warner Music Group for providing the tickets and CDs.

Tyler Mire, Tim Schleinat will play in Disney All-American College Band

04/05/2010 - 6:25pm

Trumpeters and current students Tyler Mire and Tim Schleinat will represent UNT Jazz Studies in the 2010 All-American College Band at Disneyland, sponsored by Yahama and directed by Dr. Ron McCurdy. Other members of the band come from Berklee, Eastman, Manhattan School of Music, Univ. of Northern Colorado, and other excellent music programs.

UNT's Kris Chesky recognized for work to promote hearing awareness

04/05/2010 - 9:50pm

This article in the Chronicle of Higher Education explains why Dr. Chesky was recognized with a national award for his work to promote awareness of hearing health for musicians. UNT is a leader in research and activism on music-related noise-induced hearing loss.

Barreras, Clancy, Karlsson, and Soph on tour in Sweden and Finland

04/09/2010 - 1:21pm


Students Brian Clancy and Asher Barreras and faculty Stefan Karlsson and Ed Soph recently made a tour of Sweden and Finland. Find the tour itinerary and photos here.

Sean Jones, Luke Brimhall recognized as Outstanding Students

04/09/2010 - 4:54pm


At Honors Day 2010 on April 9, 2010, Sean Jones was recognized as Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Jazz Studies. Luke Brimhall was recognized as Outstanding Graduate Student in Jazz Studies. Pictured: Sean Jones.

Joel Cross releases "Just Reach" CD

04/09/2010 - 11:04pm

 

Recent UNT jazz studies graduate Joel Cross has released the CD "Just Reach." It's available at iTunes, Amazon, and Zune.

Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison release "Vertical Voices" CD

04/10/2010 - 9:47am


Kerry Marsh (UNT alumnus) and Julia Dollison have released the CD "Vertical Voices" as an ArtistShare project. On this remarkable CD they interpret Maria Schneider's large ensemble music by overdubbing their voices to reimagine the instrumental parts, and they add their own solo improvisations. They are joined by Ben Monder, guitar; Frank Kimbrough, piano; Jay Anderson, bass; and Clarence Penn, drums. All are members of the Maria Schneider Orchestra rhythm section. Read the press release.

New Three O'Clock Lab Band photos

04/10/2010 - 10:41am

There are two new photos of the Three O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Brad Leali. Here's one:
(Click for large image.)

Sara Jacovino with Joey DeFrancesco and the Airmen of Note

04/10/2010 - 11:36am


UNT alumnus Alan Baylock sent this photo: "Here is a picture that was taken after the Airmen of Note gig with Joey DeFrancesco last Fall. Sara also conducted "Ordinary Deviation," which was the winner of the annual Sammy Nestico Award.
You might recognize everyone, but just in case. Front: Alan Baylock, Sara Jacovino, Joey DeFrancesco, Joe Jackson. Back: Andy Axelrad, Jeff Martin, Ben Patterson, Doug Morgan, Rich Sigler, Tyler Kuebler. All of us (minus Joey) were at UNT at some point and and I think all but one of us graduated!"

UNT jazz band performs David "Fathead" Newman tribute in Fort Worth

04/10/2010 - 2:24pm


What: A Tribute to David “Fathead” Newman with the University of North Texas Three O’Clock Lab Band directed by Brad Leali. Featuring Frank Wess and Roger Boykin.

When: 6 p.m. April 18 (Sunday)

Where: McDavid Studio, 301 E. 5th St., Fort Worth

Contact: For ticket info, visit McDavid Studio

The University of North Texas Three O'Clock Lab Band, under the baton of Brad Leali, pays musical homage to one of the greatest hard-bop saxophone players in jazz, Texan David "Fathead" Newman. Newman, who died in 2009, spent more than a decade performing with Ray Charles; he also toured and/or recorded with Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin and B.B. King, among dozens of others. He enjoyed a lengthy solo career, having released 38 solo albums.

Featured guests will be noted saxophonist Frank Wess, who performed with jazz legend Count Basie for more than a decade, and Roger Boykin, founder of Soultex records, Dallas jazz legend and long time bandmate of Newman. Frank Wess comments, "I’ve always admired David and I’m greatly honored to be involved in this tribute." Roger Boykin adds, "I am happy to be involved in this concert honoring one of the most unique musicians in Texas history. David was a master of both Blues and Jazz and was without a doubt, the best musical friend a vocalist could ever have. He had one of the most recognizable saxophone sounds ever and his generosity with time and advice for younger musicians was unmatched." Guest of honor will be Karen Newman, the wife of David Newman. "The spirit of a great Texas Tenor will be lighting up the skies this evening," said Karen Newman. "I so look forward to hearing the familiar sounds of my David." The concert has special meaning for Three O'Clock Lab Band director Brad Leali. "At nine years old my Uncle introduced the album Ray Charles presents David Newman to me," said Leali. "That album had an outstanding significance in my life then, as well as today. Mr. Newman encompassed every aspect of musicianship that allows greatness to flourish. This tribute is for a man whose art has spoken and will continue to speak to generations forever."

New: UNT Jazz Studies events calendar

04/12/2010 - 3:32pm

All public UNT Jazz Studies events on and off campus are now listed on our events calendar.

Roberto Verastegui wins second place in Phillips Jazz Piano Competition

04/13/2010 - 12:17pm

Roberto Verastegui, a student of Stefan Karlsson, has won second place in the Kathleen T. and Philip B. Phillips, M.D. Jazz Piano Competition at the University of West Florida.

Stephen Anderson Trio releases "Nation Degeneration" CD

04/13/2010 - 12:24pm


Pianist Stephen Anderson, UNT alumnus and professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, has released his second trio CD. He's joined by bassist Jeffry Eckels and drummer Ross Pederson, both UNT alumni, and guest alto saxophonist Andrew Van Tassel, a student at UNC-CH. The music and Anderson's liner notes are seriously interesting. For more information and audio samples, see artiststephenanderson.com.

Vote for Mikaela!

04/15/2010 - 2:01pm

 

UNT jazz vocal major Mikaela Kahn is one of the 10 finalists in the Seattle audition for the Fox TV show Glee. You can help her win by going to THE VOTING PAGE and VOTING!

Alumni update: Edgar Dorantes

04/15/2010 - 3:11pm


In 2008 Edgar Dorantes opened Jazzuv, a school and a project with groups and an International Festival at his university, Universidad Veracruzana, in Mexico. Stefan Karlsson has visited there to play with Eddie Gomez. He directed Jazzuv until 2012, and directed the festival Jazzuv until January 2014. He continues to teach
classical and jazz at Universidad Veracruzana, plays and writes music for large ensembles, and conducts some orchestras. Jazzuv continues to grow.

Alumni update: Hubert Waldner

04/15/2010 - 3:25pm


Hubert Waldner graduated in 1982 with a Master of Music Education, Jazz Education emphasis. He studied with Neil Slater, Dan Haerle, and David McGuire.

 

Alumni update: Bryan English

04/15/2010 - 3:30pm

The website for which Bryan English composes soundtracks (www.HowItShouldHaveEnded.com) just won the 2010 Streamy award for "Best Animated Series" on the internet. The "Streamys" are the internet equivalent to the Emmys, Tonys, Grammy awards. This is only the 2nd year they've held the awards. Bryan has been writing for this website for about 5 years. It's owned by the Starz Network. He's also working on producing an original series for the network.

Alumni update: Kris Berg

04/15/2010 - 3:44pm

Kris Berg teaches at Collin College in Plano, Texas. The Jazz Lab Band and Latin Jazz Ensemble from Collin College recently participated in the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival near Chicago. This is a college festival taking place in February and their participation was part of their "Windy City Tour" which included other performances in Arkansas and Missouri. Both bands received "Outstanding Band" awards and were the only bands from a two-year college to receive such awards, all the rest being four-year schools.

In March, the jazz studies program at Collin hosted the 18th Annual Collin Jazz Fest with special guest, Tom "Bones" Malone. The festival hosted over 20 public school bands and 2 sell-out concerts.

Kris directed both the Oklahoma All State and the Wyoming All State Jazz Bands this spring. In May, he will be traveling to Maine as a guest artist/clinician at the Maine Music Educators Association conference, where he will be doing several clinics, including his clinic "Arranging for Jazz Combo", and conducting the new music reading session for his publisher, Alfred.

Alumni update: Tim Polster

04/15/2010 - 3:47pm

Tim Polster attended UNT from 1989-93 as a bass player and played in the Two O'Clock Lab Band for his last year with James Riggs. Now he operates a video, audio and photography business in Arlington. The company's website is www.metroplexmultimedia.com. He has a lot of experience with multi-camera shoots for live events using HD cameras.

Alumni update: Alan Smollen

04/19/2010 - 2:34pm

UNT alumnus Alan Smollen lives in Japan and is interested in hearing from other UNT jazz alumni who are there. His email is alansmollen@music.email.ne.jp.

Alumni update: Tom Luer

04/22/2010 - 12:12pm

Saxophonist and alumnus Tom Luer sends this update:

Monday, April 26th we are back at the Oyster House in Studio City with my quintet “Project Popular”. My group is performing arrangements of pop and rock tunes by artists such as Prince, Pearl Jam, Alicia Keys, Soundgarden, Gnarles Barkley, and more, with a few originals as well. (No cover charge, cheap drinks, GREAT hang!) With Andy Langham-Piano, Andrew Synowiec-Guitar, Edwin Livingston-Bass, Dan Schnelle-Drums.

4/26/2010
10PM-1AM
Oyster House Saloon
12446 Moorpark St.
Studio City, CA 91604

On Tuesday, April 27th, I will be performing with the Wayne Bergeron Big Band at Vibrato’s. Wayne’s credits as a performer are too great to sum up here, so stop by his website for more info: www.waynebergeron.com . Simply put, this is one of the best bands in town. Led by Wayne, the band is a group of Los Angeles All-Stars who always deliver a great show! Hope to see you there! ($20 cover charge, sets at 8 and 9:30 PM)

4/27/2010
8PM-11PM
Vibrato
2930 Beverly Glen Circle
Bel Air, CA 90077-1724
www.vibratogrilljazz.com

Denton Arts & Jazz Festival

04/24/2010 - 8:21am

(Click to enlarge)
UNT jazz groups are featured on the new UNT Showcase Stage at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival.

UNT students win Eight Down Beat magazine Student Music Awards

04/27/2010 - 9:44am

UNT students won eight awards in the 33rd Annual Down Beat magazine Student Music Awards. The winners are announced in the June issue, which is published today. The awards cover a broad range of categories, which demonstrates the comprehensive excellence of our program.

Instrumental Jazz Soloist
Graduate College Outstanding Performance
Adam Hutcheson, alto saxophone
Brad Leali, mentor

Jazz Group/Combo
Graduate College Winner
Unstablemates
Melissa McMillan - Vocals
Adam Hutcheson - Alto Saxophone
Dustin Mollick - Tenor Saxophone
Brendan O'Neill - Drums
Andrew Carroll - Keyboard
Shannon Fearon - Bass
Stefan Karlsson, mentor

Large Jazz Ensemble
Graduate College Winner
Two O'Clock Lab Band
Jay Saunders, director
The Two O'Clock Lab Band's CD "Too Two" can be ordered here.

Vocal Jazz Soloist
Undergraduate College Outstanding Performance
Tatiana Mayfield, voice
Rosana Eckert, mentor

Extended Original Composition
Graduate College Winner
John Guari, "November"
Steve Wiest, mentor
"November" can be heard on the double-Grammy-nominated "Lab 2009" CD, which can be ordered here.

Jazz Arrangement
Undergraduate College Winner
Emily Scoresby, "Where is Love?"
Rosana Eckert, mentor

Jazz Arrangement
Graduate College Winner
Sean Nelson, "Beautiful Love"
Paris Rutherford & Akira Sato, mentors

Engineered Live Recording
Undergraduate College Winner
Sean Jones
Mike Steinel, mentor

Praise for "Too Two" by the Two O'Clock Lab Band

04/27/2010 - 10:52am


Too Two, the most recent CD by the Two O'Clock Lab Band and the first under the direction of Jay Saunders, is available to order here. Down Beat Student Music Award winners Adam Hutcheson, Tatiana Mayfield, Sean Jones, and John Guari are featured on this CD as well, and Sean Nelson’s award-winning chart was recorded by this band last fall.

Why check out the Two O’clock’s latest award winning CD, “Too Two”? Read these unsolicited comments by some “heavy” experts:

This is one of the best big band recordings I have ever heard. The rhythm section smokes from beginning to end. So happening. Tom “Bones” Malone, New York, NY.

Like lots of others, I've listened to (hundreds) of college jazz band CD's in my time, and without question this is the best ever. – Bill Snodgrass, respected jazz educator, clinician and adjudicator

It’s one thing to play challenging charts; it's another story for a band to "bring it" to the level of challenging charts that this band recorded...and "bring it" they did!
– Gary Grant, Los Angeles, CA

…great performance by the band. I expected that and was not disappointed.
– John Clayton, Los Angeles, CA

The band sounds GREAT!...nice playing and singing, very good soloists and a killer rhythm section! - Tom Peterson, Los Angeles, CA

 

Jazz Bass Workshop has some spots remaining

04/27/2010 - 11:33am


There are still a few spots left in the Lynn Seaton Jazz Double Bass Workshop at the University of North Texas.

The dates are June 14-18, 2010.

This intimate workshop is limited to 15 upright bassists.

For more information: http://www.jazz.unt.edu/node/123.

Marcus Wolfe's new job

04/27/2010 - 11:38am

Dr. Marcus Wolfe (BM '99, MM '02) has accepted a position at Boise State University where he will be Director of Jazz Studies and the Gene Harris Jazz Festival starting this fall.

One O'Clock Lab Band previews Lab 2010 in Ft. Worth

04/28/2010 - 10:58am

Please join us for the final concert of the Spring semester this Friday, April 30, 7:30 pm at McDavid Studio in Fort Worth.
McDavid Studio offers a generous $5 student ticket price for these events. Regular admission is $20.
Tickets are available at the door, or in advance at: McDavid Studio.

One O'Clock Lab Band directed by Steve Wiest
Premiering new music to be recorded on Lab 2010 along with classics from the North Texas Lab Band Book
Join the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band in concert as they prepare to go into the recording studio for their follow up to the Double Grammy-nominated Lab 2009. Hear concert performances of new works for the upcoming album by composers Neil Slater, Steve Wiest, Dave Richards, and Kevin Swaim!

Thank you for your support of live jazz in Fort Worth!

Alumni update: Walter Simonsen

04/29/2010 - 4:05pm


(Walter rapping during a performance at small group forum on April 12, 2004.)
Trumpeter Walter Simonsen finished his DMA in Jazz Studies at USC, graduating in Spring 2010.  He graduated from UNT in 2004.  His final thesis was on the life and music of Bob Florence.

Alumni update: Calley Bliss

04/29/2010 - 4:33pm


Calley Bliss, a 2007 graduate, has independently released her debut solo album entitled "Pigeonholed." It's available now on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and calleybliss.com.

Calley is currently living in Brooklyn, and has a CD release party and concert scheduled for May 15th at a venue called Sidewalk Cafe in Manhattan (94 Ave. A).

Bennye Wayne Breeden

05/01/2010 - 4:51pm

It saddens me to relate to you that Bennye Wayne Breeden, Leon Breeden's wife, passed Thursday April 29, 2010 in Denton, TX. The viewing will be Tuesday, May 4, 2010 from 1:00-2:00 pm and the funeral ceremony will be at 2:00 pm at the Mulkey Mason, Jack Schmitz & Son Funeral Home, 705 North Locust Street, Denton, TX 76201-2950.

James Riggs

Alumni update: Sparky Koerner

05/04/2010 - 9:24am

Sparky Koerner (M.M.Ed 1976) is current President-Elect for Texas Jazz Educators Association. He will take over as president in July 2010. Sparky is director of the College of the Mainland Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo and serves as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department. The COM Jazz Ensemble performed a concert on April 13, 2010 with guest artist, pianist Larry Ham from New York. Larry did two clinics for the students and demonstrated wonderful piano and compositional and arranging skills with charts that he sent for the Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble to perform. The COM Jazz Ensemble will perform at the Jazz Educators Network Conference on May 21, 2010 at 3 pm on the NOSH Showcase Stage in the Millennium Student Center located on the University of Missouri - St. Louis campus. Sparky is in his 26th year as director of Jazz Studies at College of the Mainland.
www.sparkysjazzexpress.com
www.sparkykoerner.com

Alumni update: Keith Javors

05/05/2010 - 4:53pm


Keith Javors releases a new CD, "Rhyme & Reason," with Russian saxophonist Oleg Kireyev, Boris Kozlov, and E.J. Strickland.

Summer Vocal Jazz Workshop

05/06/2010 - 12:00pm


The North Texas Vocal Jazz Workshop is the premier summer workshop of its kind. We will celebrate our 15th anniversary with the 2010 workshop. For one intense week, participants are involved in every aspect of vocal jazz (and only vocal jazz), from solo and ensemble performance to improvisation, pedagogy, and basic jazz theory. This summer’s dates are June 20 through 25. See the complete flyer for more information by clicking on the image.

One O'Clock Lab Band in Sherman, TX on May 8

05/07/2010 - 8:42pm

The band plays Maynard Ferguson's music with guests Wayne Bergeron and Denis DiBlasio. Sponsored by the Sherman Jazz Museum.

Shanghai study abroad group

06/02/2010 - 5:28am

Undergraduate students Kevin Bach and David Winniford and graduate students Li Xiaochuan, Sergio Pamies Rodriguez, and Sarah Roberts participated in a study abroad trip to Shanghai led by John Murphy from May 17-June 1. The group presented workshops and two concerts at East China Normal University; presented a workshop at the JZ School, an independent music school associated with the JZ Jazz Club; visited Shanghai Conservatory; played a set at the Melting Pot jazz club; heard a concert by the Duke Ellington Orchestra; and visited Expo 2010. Pictured left to right are David Winniford, Sarah Roberts, Kevin Bach, Li Xiaochuan, and Sergio Pamies Rodriguez. More photos

Video from the 2010 Denton Arts & Jazz Festival

06/23/2010 - 11:00am

This video was produced for the North Texan magazine. Link to North Texan site

Richard DeRosa joins UNT Jazz Studies faculty

07/12/2010 - 12:25pm


The UNT Jazz Studies faculty welcomes Richard DeRosa, who will begin teaching jazz arranging and composition in the fall 2010 semester. Here's his bio.

Daniel Rojas joins Klaus Badelt studio

07/15/2010 - 8:12am

Daniel Rojas, who will graduate from UNT in August with a bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies (Arranging Emphasis), was recently hired by film composer Klaus Badelt to join his award-winning team in Santa Monica, CA. Klaus Badelt is one of the top film composers in Hollywood. His credits include Pirates of the Caribbean, The Time Machine, Gladiator, Poseidon, Pearl Harbor and many others. He has been commissioned to compose an opera about China's first emperor that will be premiered at the Terra Cotta Warriors museum in Xi'an, China. Klaus Badelt official site. One of the first projects that Daniel will be working on with Badelt is Hollywood in Vienna, a performance by the ORF Radio-Symphony Orchestra of the works of film composers Max Steiner, Erich Korngold, Miklos Rozsa, John Williams, James Horner and Klaus Badelt. Daniel is from Heredia, Costa Rica. Daniel Rojas official site.

Alastair Ottesen releases CD

08/02/2010 - 11:05am

Alastair Otteson graduated from the jazz program at UNT in 2007, and has been living in Brooklyn, NY since then. He just released a self-titled CD of original music. It's available here: alastairottesen.bandcamp.com. See also his site: www.alastairottesen.com.

Alumni update: Denny Euprasert

08/05/2010 - 11:16am


Denny Euprasert (MM 1998) has released his new album entitled “Denny Euprasert Trio” featuring Benny Golson and Joris Teepe. Denny is currently the Dean of Rangsit University Conservatory of Music and the director of the RSU Jazz Orchestra. He is the recipient of the Silapathorn Contemporary Artist of the Year Award, one of Thailand’s most prestigious honors. www.rsu.ac.th/music

Leon Breeden

08/11/2010 - 7:15pm

We mourn the loss of Leon Breeden, former chair of the UNT Jazz Studies Program and director of the One O'Clock Lab Band, who passed away on Aug. 11, 2010 in Dallas. He was 88.

Post your remembrance of Leon Breeden

 

Obituaries:

A Leon Breeden retrospective in photos and documents

UNT press release

The first time I saw Leon Breeden was at the Concord Hotel in the Catskill Mountains, just north of New York City. Dr. Breeden was invited to conduct the New York All-State Jazz Band. It was an outstanding concert, and the students were thrilled to play for the director of the North Texas One O’ Clock Lab Band. I also remember some of his interesting and humorous comments to the students during the evening. Although I didn’t get to meet Dr. Breeden that night, I remember that he described Denton to the audience as a dusty little Texas town with a music school filled with great talent and dedicated faculty. He had an engaging and rural humor about him that could easily disguise the intensity he gave to his work. During my early years at North Texas, Leon was generous in his help, and made himself available to smooth my transition into the position. I quickly understood that Leon Breeden’s vision, perseverance and dedication to jazz education created the backbone of the legendary North Texas Jazz program, which remains the model for university and college jazz programs throughout the world.

Neil Slater, Professor Emeritus
Director, One O’ Clock Lab Band and
Chair, Division of Jazz Studies, Retired

8/14/2010

 

Steve Wiest wins competition

08/25/2010 - 1:54pm

From the UNT press release:

Two UNT professors win Texas Composers Competition
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Dr. Cindy McTee, long-standing Regents Professor of composition at the University of North Texas College of Music , and Steve Wiest, director of the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band and associate professor of jazz studies, have been selected as two of six winners of the Texas Composers Competition.

 

Calvin Sexton and Inner City All-Stars are on the TCA roster

08/28/2010 - 1:24pm


UNT alumnus Calvin Sexton and his band the Inner City All-Stars have joined the Texas Tourist Artist roster of the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Kevin Brunkhorst and Ryan Davidson release "Border Crossing" CD

08/28/2010 - 1:31pm


Alumni guitarists Kevin Brunkhorst and Ryan Davidson have released the CD "Border Crossing." Also heard on the CD are alumni Brian Mulholland (bass) and Stockton Helbing (drums). It was recorded in Denton in the summer of 2008 and mixed and mastered in Nova Scotia. The tunes are all originals. CDs are available through CDBaby. Digital downloads are available through iTunes, CDBaby, or Amazon.com. It's also available through the streaming sources like Pandora, Rhapsody, or Last.fm.

 

Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington release "“Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Two” CD

08/28/2010 - 4:02pm


The new CD by alumni Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington is available here.

Tatiana Mayfield will compete in the Monk Competition

09/03/2010 - 4:55pm


Vocalist Tatiana Mayfield, a recent graduate of our program, will compete in the Monk Competition. The annoucement is on the Monk Institute's Facebook page. Here is the Monk Institute web site.

The competition will be held on Oct. 3rd and 4th, with the performances on Oct. 4th at the Kennedy Center (Eisenhower Theater) at 7:30pm. The judges this year are Aretha Franklin, Dianne Reeves, Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, DeeDee Bridgewater, and Kurt Elling. 1st place winner: $20,000, 2nd place winner: $10,000, 3rd place winner: $5,000.
Update on Oct. 6. 2010: She did not win. We are proud of how she represented our school in Washington, D.C.

One O'Clock Lab Band at McDavid Studio on 10.10.10

10/06/2010 - 4:15pm

10.10.10
One O'Clock Lab Band
Lab 2010 CD Release Event in Fort Worth
Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 8:00 pm. McDavid Studio, Fort Worth

Tickets at the door or order online.
Student prices are only $5!!
Regular admission price is $30, so this is a significant discount.
Support live jazz!!

McDavid Studio is located at 301 E. 5th Street, Fort Worth, TX
Link to poster.

UNT One O'Clock Lab Band tours Europe

10/07/2010 - 2:52pm

The Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas will tour Europe this October, including performances at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival — one of Ireland’s biggest jazz events. Festival organizers have billed the band as "widely reckoned to be the best college jazz big band in the world today" and "one of the best ensembles to perform in Cork in recent years."

Under the direction of Grammy-nominated composer and arranger Steve Wiest, the band will offer a master class at the Cork School of Music, a clinic and concert at the Royal College of Music in London, and a concert at the noted jazz club The Bull’s Head in London, broadcast live on the UK Jazz Radio at http://www.ukjazzradio.com. Tune in online to hear the band perform two one-hour sets at 2:30 p.m. CST (8:30 p.m. London time) and 4 p.m. CST (10 p.m. London time) Oct. 28 (Thursday).

The One O'Clock Lab Band, UNT's premier jazz ensemble, has performed and toured throughout the world — including Australia, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand and The Netherlands. The band’s albums have received six Grammy nominations over the years, including Lab 2009’s two nominations — one for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album and one for Best Instrumental Composition for “Ice-Nine” by Wiest. The UNT jazz program — the first of its kind in the nation — is housed within the College of Music, one of the largest and most comprehensive music schools in the nation. For information about the band, visit theoneoclock.com .

The One O'Clock Lab Band's European tour is a featured part of UNT's new Travel Learn Program, in which the general public will travel with the band through Europe in a trip that has been built around the expertise and knowledge of UNT faculty. The customized itineraries of the Travel Learn Program combine leisure and sightseeing with educational and cultural enrichment. The registration deadline for the One O'Clock Lab Band trip has passed.

Steve Wiest sends a report from the Ireland-UK tour

10/24/2010 - 8:58am

Read Steve's report and see photos here.

One O'Clock Lab Band live broadcast

10/27/2010 - 6:48pm

The One O'Clock Lab Band will be broadcast live this Thursday, October 28 from the Bull's Head Jazz Club in London as part of their Ireland/England tour.

You can listen live at UK Jazz Radio at http://www.ukjazzradio.com/
Times:
two one-hour sets at 2:30 p.m. CST (8:30 p.m. London time) and 4 p.m. CST (10 p.m. London time) Oct. 28 (Thursday).

One O'Clock Lab Band with the Houston Symphony

10/28/2010 - 2:45pm

The One O'Clock Lab Band will play a series of performances with the Houston Symphony on Nov. 12-13-14. Nov. 13 is UNT Alumni Day. The band will play at Spec's Flagship Store at 2 p.m. After the 8 p.m. performance with the Houston Symphony, there will be a post-concert reception at the Hotel Icon Houston. Those who plan to attend the post-concert reception are asked to RSVP with Beth Jackson at mary.jackson@unt.edu.

Tickets to the Houston Symphony concert

50th Annual Fall Concert

10/28/2010 - 2:55pm

The One O'Clock Lab Band welcomes guest artists Tim Ries and Bernard Fowler for its 50th Annual Fall Concert on Nov. 23, 2010 at 8 p.m. in Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center.

Tickets: www.thempac.com


Tim Ries


Bernard Fowler

Justin Cash releases "Beautiful World" CD

11/01/2010 - 4:11pm


Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and UNT alumnus Justin Cash has released the CD "Beautiful World". You can listen to it on his site and buy it at iTunes. Also heard on the CD are James Driscoll (bass), Jason Thomas (drums), Dave Shelton (piano), Chris McGuire (saxophone).

Final installment in Steve Wiest's tour blog

11/04/2010 - 6:27am

Steve Wiest has posted the final installment of his blog on the Ireland-UK tour:

http://swiest2.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/the-castle-the-cliffs-and-london/

Rosana and Gary Eckert will perform with Bobby McFerrin

11/05/2010 - 7:48am


UNT Alumni Rosana and Gary Eckert will join 10-time Grammy Award-winner and vocal innovator Bobby McFerrin for two shows in New York City to promote VOCAbuLarieS, Bobby’s latest project. VOCAbuLarieS, a collaboration with composer/arranger/producer Roger Treece, is a choral adventure based on Bobby's experiments with multi-track recording and his ceaseless exploration of the potential of the human voice. It celebrates Bobby’s love of all musical genres, from classical to world music, R&B to gospel and beyond, building upon his past explorations and journeying into bold new territory. Rosana and Gary were two of over 50 singers recorded for the album, and they will be part of a group of singers on November 12th and 13th who will perform pieces from the CD at the Rose Theater in Lincoln Center.

“spiritually uplifting, utterly beguiling, and deeply groovy…” Ron Adams, The Sunday Herald Scotland
“a glimpse into the music of the 21st century… VOCAbuLarieS is Bobby McFerrin’s masterpiece.” Brian Whistler, Audiophile Audition
“the human voice in its purist incarnation…a symphonic vocal poem of oceanic purity.” Louis Seguin, Liberacion Paris
“heartstoppingly beautiful…” Philly.com
“easily McFerrin’s finest moment on record as well as his most ambitious.” Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

UNT Jazz Guitar Showcase

11/16/2010 - 5:34pm

UNT guitar students Bo Bray, Tim Bauckman, Evan Oxenhandler and Jacob Wise will be featured this Friday, November 19 at 1:30 in Kenton Hall in the College of Music. Each guitarist will perform a 20 minute set with their groups.

UNT Jazz Guitar Showcase

11/16/2010 - 5:46pm

The jazz guitar studio will feature Bo Bray, Tim Bauckman, Evan Oxenhandler and Jacob Wise on Friday, November 19 at 1:30 in Kenton Hall. Each student will perform a 20 minute set with their own groups. Come out and hear some great music played by outstanding musicians.

Jacob Wise releases "Jacob Wise Trio" CD

11/21/2010 - 10:29am


Guitarist and current master's student Jacob Wise has released a CD entitled "Jacob Wise Trio", on which he is supported by Aaron Allen on bass and Andy Beaudoin on drums. You can find out more about it at Jacob's site, cdbaby, and bandcamp. It's featured at allaboutjazz.com on Nov. 23, 2010.

One O'Clock Lab Band's 50th Fall Concert

11/22/2010 - 12:02pm

click image for larger version

The One O'Clock Lab Band's 50th Fall Concert takes place tomorrow:Tuesday, November 23 at 8:00pm in Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center on the UNT campus. We will feature the six-time Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band on the first half (new pieces for Lab 2011, a selection from this year's CD Lab 2010 and some One O'Clock classics as well). Then on the second half we will bring out our guest artists Time Ries and Bernard Fowler. Tim is an alum of North Texas and the One O'Clock, then toured with Maynard Ferguson, became a featured artist in New York with the likes of Maria Schneider, a leader in his own right with many CD projects and has for many years now been the sax soloist and keyboard player for The Rolling Stones. Tim released two critically-acclaimed projects of jazz rewrites of Rolling Stones tunes (The Rolling Stones Project and Stones World) and has since had them orchestrated for modern big band by Matt Harris. As an added treat, we will also feature vocalist extraordinaire Bernard Fowler (back up singer for the Rolling Stones and lead vocalist with a number of successful pop and rock groups) as we perform this exciting and unique music.

TIm Ries: www.timries.com
Bernard Fowler: www.bernardfowler.com

UNT DMA in Jazz Studies receives Board of Regents approval

11/23/2010 - 5:28pm

The UNT Board of Regents approved the proposal to create a DMA in Jazz Studies at its Nov. 19, 2010 meeting. The next and final step in the process is approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Our goal is to invite applicants for the Fall 2011 semester. When we receive permission to invite applicants, news will be posted here and on our Facebook page.

Carolina Araoz and Jazz Jaus, Peru

11/24/2010 - 12:26pm

UNT alumna Carolina Araoz and her colleagues are doing great work at their school, Jazz Jaus, in Lima, Peru. Here's a video about it. Opening of the narration: "We are Jazz Jaus: a music school and non-profit organization whose main goal is to change lives through music." The school offers instruction in jazz and classical music. It's based in Lima and is also active in other cities in Peru.

 

Take Five with Jacob Wise at AllAboutJazz.com

11/26/2010 - 10:40am

Current master's student Jacob Wise does the Take Five interview:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=38183

Holidays with the One O'Clock

11/26/2010 - 10:56am

We invite you to join us for Holidays with the One O'Clock on Dec. 17, 2010, 8 p.m. at McDavid Studio in Fort Worth, TX.

Tickets are available at www.basshall.com or by calling the Bass Hall Box Office 817-212-4280 or toll-free at 1-877-212-4280.

Steve Wiest's Grammy-Nominated Composition Ice-Nine Chosen to be Performed at The World New Music Day in Zagreb, Croatia

12/06/2010 - 3:32pm


Of the six entries chosen from Texas to compete in the International Society for Contemporary Music Conference in Zagreb, Croatia this Spring, works by Texas composers Steve Wiest and B.J. Brooks have been programmed to be performed. The ISCM performances are being held as part of the larger World New Music Day. Each state in the U.S. submits a number of works to be considered, as well as entries from countries around the world. A panel at the ISCM then chooses the final compositions to actually be performed. It is quite an honor for Texas that two pieces were awarded positions on the program as the normal procedure is to pick only one. UNT Jazz Division professor Steve Wiest's Grammy-nominated work Ice-Nine will be performed by the Croatia Radio and Television Big Band on Wednesday, April 13.

Hildegunn Gjedrem album project

12/13/2010 - 9:26pm

Hildegunn Gjedrem has a Kickstarter project to fund her second album. Michael League and Bob Lanzetti are on it. All are UNT jazz alumni.

Learn more here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1353808724/the-hildegunn-gjedrem-group-sophomore-album

Scott Kruser and Megalodon release the CD "Edible"

12/23/2010 - 11:15am


Scott Kruser, currently the guitarist in the One O'Clock Lab Band, and the band Megalodon have released a CD entitled Edible. The group is preparing to tour throughout Asia for the summer of 2011.  The CD is available through iTunes, cdbaby, DigiStation, and soon at Amazon. There's already a Wikipedia page for Megalodon.