2013 News archive

One O'Clock Lab Band Schedule

01/09/2013 - 10:50am

The One O'Clock website has now been updated with a complete listing of One O'Clock concerts for Spring Semester 2013. Please refer to this for any concert info that you need: www.theoneoclock.com or
jazz.unt.edu/oneoclock. You will see the concerts listed on the right side of the site.

Oz Noy Guitar Workshop

01/09/2013 - 4:01pm

Oz Noy

Guitar Workshop
Monday, January 21
3:00pm
Kenton Hall

Free to Guitar Club Members
$20 for non-members

Born in Israel, Oz started his professional career at the age of 13 playing jazz, blues, pop and rock music. By age 16, he was playing with top Israeli musicians and artists. By age 24, he was one of the most established studio guitar players in the country. Oz was also a member of the house band on Israel’s top-rated television show for more than two years.

Since his 1996 arrival in New York, Oz has made a huge impact on the local and international music scene. His unique and intoxicating style has broken all the rules of instrumental guitar music by focusing on the groove. All stars such as Keith Carlock, Anton Fig, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Dave Weckl often contribute on drums, with bassists Will Lee, James Genus, and Reggie Washington.

For his accomplishments as a trend-setting guitarist, Oz won the highly acclaimed Guitar Player magazine readers poll for "best guitar riff on a record" in 2007. In 2008, Oz won the Guitar Player’s readers poll again; this time for "best new talent."

 

News from David Wild

01/14/2013 - 5:27pm

David Wild, a distinguished jazz researcher and pianist who completed his master's in jazz studies at UNT in spring 2012, contributed liner notes to Coltrane’s Sun Ship: The Complete Sessions, a release of everything recorded at that Classic Quartet date due out in March. The John Coltrane Reference, which Dave co-authored with Lewis Porter, Chris DeVito, Wolf Schmaler, and Yasuhiro Fujioka, has been reissued as a paperback/eBook reprint. Dave and brother Ken, aka The Wild Brothers, played Vitello’s in Los Angeles last month with Larry Koonse, Rob Lockart, and Ralph Humphrey.

Summer Jazz Workshops registration forms available now

01/15/2013 - 4:16pm

You can find registration forms for our four summer 2013 jazz workshops on the workshops page.

UNT is a tuition bargain

01/26/2013 - 6:51pm

The College of Music has added a new page to the admissions part of the website about the cost of attending UNT. The PDF linked to this page shows how the cost of attending UNT is lower than all but one of the Texas schools listed and lower than all of the national peer institutions listed. If you are a prospective student, or in a position to advise students who are deciding where to attend, please have a look.

music.unt.edu/admissions/cost-of-attendance

Addison Frei, Aaron Hedenstrom, and Drew Zaremba win ASCAP Awards

02/01/2013 - 9:47pm

Current UNT Jazz Studies students Addison Frei and Drew Zaremba, undergraduates, and Aaron Hedenstrom, master's student, are among the winners of the 2013 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. Congratulations to these three talented and hardworking students and their faculty mentors. Read the press release.

Lab 2013: The Jazz Town U.S.A. Project

02/04/2013 - 9:16pm


Announcing The Jazz Town U.S.A. Project! If you are a current or former resident of Denton Texas (UNT students past and present qualify!) you are invited to take part in a contest to create the art for Lab 2013: The newest CD by The One O'Clock Lab Band. The music will be inspired by and in honor of good ol' Denton Texas: "Jazz Town U.S.A." Check it out:
jazztownusa.wordpress.com

Article on majoring in jazz quotes students, chair

02/08/2013 - 4:19pm

This article at majoringinmusic.com includes quotes from current students Drew Zaremba and Addison Frei and jazz studies chair John Murphy.

Gospel Meets Jazz: A Black History Celebration

02/08/2013 - 5:10pm


click image for larger version
Brad Leali and Jennifer Barnes, guest artists, and students and faculty will offer "Gospel Meets Jazz: A Black History Celebration" on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 at 5 p.m. in Voertman Hall in the Music Building on the UNT Denton Campus. Admission is free. More information in the press release.

Peter Erskine in concert on Feb. 28, 2013

02/11/2013 - 9:58pm

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Stefan Karlsson in Thailand and China in February 2013

02/19/2013 - 2:45pm

Peter Erskine residency

02/23/2013 - 1:52pm

Peter Erskine | The Glenn E. Gomez International Artists Endowment for Jazz Studies

Monday, February 25
11:00-12:00 Open Forum, Q&A with Jazz Studies majors (282)
1:00-1:50 One O’Clock Lab Band rehearsal (282)
4:00-4:50 Small Group Forum (282)
8:00-9:30 Masterclass with drummers (282 Soph)

Tuesday, February 26
11:00-11:50 Improvisation masterclass (262)
1:00-1:50 Rehearse with One O’Clock Lab Band (282)
2:00-3:20 Jazz Lecture Series (Recital Hall)
8:30-9:30 Q&A with Jazz Singers (263)

Wednesday, February 27
9:00-9:50 Masterclass with undergraduate composers (287)
10:00-10:50 Jazz History, Q&A with jazz history focus (288)
4:00-4:50 Masterclass with graduate composers (320)
8:00 Rehearse with One O’Clock Lab Band (282)

Thursday, February 28
8:00 Concert (Winspear Hall)

For more information contact Julie Bice or John Murphy.

The One O'Clock in Allen Texas Saturday, March 23

03/16/2013 - 10:19am

The One O'Clock Lab Band will be performing this week on March 23 in the spectacular Allen performing Arts Center in Allen, TX. (Click Here to purchase tickets online) Along with their own material, the band will be featuring three wonderful guest artists: Stockton Helbing, Denis DiBlasio and Frank Greene, playing the music of Maynard Ferguson.

UNT Showcase Stage at Denton Arts & Jazz Festival

03/24/2013 - 9:40am

Here's the lineup for the UNT Showcase stage at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival:

[link removed - outdated]

John Wasson releases "The New Cool"CD

04/02/2013 - 5:01pm


"The New Cool" by John Wasson's CoolBrass Jazztet

The much-anticipated first release by John Wasson's CoolBrass Jazztet! Featuring arrangements of music from the Cool period along with other classic jazz compositions, this ensemble of five brass with a drummer creates a unique ensemble sound as they explore the music of Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Oliver Nelson, Herbie Hancock and many other jazz greats. With stunning solo work and passionate ensemble playing, this group makes a bold statement with their first release. Featuring Chad Willis and Pete Clagett on trumpet, Luke Brimhall and John Allen on trombone, Jaelun Washington on drums, and John Wasson on tuba.

Available for download on iTunes and Amazon, or physical copy from amazon.com or cdbaby.com.

Jazz Singers with guest Peter Eldridge

04/07/2013 - 3:54pm


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Jazz Singers, directed by Jennifer Barnes, present their spring concert with guest Peter Eldridge on two evenings, April 12 and 13. Ticket information: $10 Adults; $8 Senior Citizens 55+, Non-UNT Students, Children, UNT Faculty/Staff/Retirees, and Groups of 10+. Free to UNT Students (limit 1, UNT Student ID required, must be picked up in person at the Box Office). Purchase online or call 940-369-7802.


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Paris Rutherford and The New Collection release their first CD "My Romance"

04/07/2013 - 5:15pm

The New Collection is the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton community's 28-voice a cappella vocal jazz choir under the direction of Paris Rutherford, who organized and directed vocal jazz at UNT for thirty years before retiring in 2009. Membership in The New Collection is wide-ranging, including professionals in the fields of business, medicine and education, as well as several current students. The New Collection's debut album showcases their wide diversity in styles, with performances of fabulous material from Rodgers & Hart, the Bergmans, Thelonious Monk, Maria Schneider and the Beatles. In addition to the wonderful group sounds, solo and vocal bass-line sounds are top tier.

The New Collection will perform at the Campus Theatre in Denton on Sunday, April 21st at 4:00 p.m. Their album will be available following the performance. Copies are also available through The New Collection's Facebook Page, Pender's Music in Denton, and for download via CD Baby and iTunes.

www.parisrutherford.com

SAMMONS JAZZ And THE UNT ONE O’CLOCK LAB BAND PRESENT "JAZZIN' DALLAS"

04/08/2013 - 9:40pm

SAMMONS JAZZ And THE UNT ONE O’CLOCK LAB BAND PRESENT "JAZZIN' DALLAS"
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013

The Sammons Center for the Arts - Sammons Jazz Ensemble and the famed UNT One O'Clock Lab Band will present an evening of live jazz entertainment in the stunning new Dallas City Performance Hall.

The Concert is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. at the Dallas City Performance Hall located in the Dallas Arts District at 2520 Flora Street, Dallas, Texas 75201 between Ross and Flora St.

This is a joint concert with the Sammons Jazz Ensemble and the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band:
First Set - Sammons Jazz Plays Motown featuring Arlington Jones on Piano
Second Set - The One O'Clock plays Grammy Jazz

Sammons Jazz from the Sammons Center for the Arts and The One O'Clock Lab Band from the University of North Texas join forces for a night of swinging jazz at the spectacular new City Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District. This special concert is part of the D'JAM Jazz Initiative. D'JAM stands for "Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month" and is part of the national effort founded by the Smithsonian to promote jazz as a singular and unique American art form in April of every year.

Sammons Jazz presents "Sammons Jazz plays Motown". The Sammons Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Arlington Jones creatively transforms some popular Motown classics into modern day jazz standards. The ensemble features Arlington Jones on piano, vocalists Simone Rodgers and Garry Williams, saxophonists Tom Braxton and Keith Anderson, Stockton Helbing on drums and Braylon Lacy on bass. Arlington Jones is a Steinway Artist.

The One O'Clock Lab Band presents Grammy Jazz. Under the direction of Steve Wiest, the band has been nominated for 6 Grammys over the years and will play the pieces that were nominated and selections from the albums that were nominated.

Tickets are available online through Brown Paper Tickets at: www.brownpapertickets.com
Reserve seating with tickets priced from $10 - $40.
All major credit cards accepted. For information call 214-520-7789.

Sammons Jazz is a program of the Sammons Center for the Arts which began in 1989 and is the longest running jazz performance series in the Metroplex. It focuses on local jazz artists, presenting 8 concerts per year at the Sammons Center for the Arts featuring every type of jazz from swing and be-bop to Latin and World Beat. This critically acclaimed jazz series is under the direction of Artistic Director, Arlington Jones, a recognized Steinway Artist.

Support for the Sammons Jazz Series is provided by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, the Texas Commission on the Arts and TACA, Inc.

The world-famous One O'Clock Lab Band is the flagship ensemble from the top-rated Jazz Studies program within the College of Music at the University of North Texas. They have been nominated for Grammy Awards multiple times and many of their student participants have gone on to become major artists known world-wide. This extraordinary ensemble is under the direction of Steve Wiest, a prominent jazz artist and educator.

To celebrate the annual Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), the whole month of April has been declared "Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month" (D'JAM), as proclaimed by Dallas Mayor Michael Rawlings by official designation. Participating entertainment, cultural and educational institutions venues throughout North Texas are hosting a series of more than two dozen exciting live jazz music events from April 1 to April 30. Music lovers of all ages will be able to hear live jazz performances in some of the most popular night spots and art institutions, like Sammons Center for the Arts, Sandaga Jazz Club, Dallas Museum of Art and Bishop Arts Theatre Center. The growing April lineup of D'JAM events is posted at www.artandseek.net.

 

Mike Myers releases CD "The Big Picture

04/09/2013 - 12:57pm


Alumnus Mike Myers (1985, Master of Music Education) recently released the CD The Big Picture. His website is www.mikemyersmusic.com. Here's a sample track, Prologue (.wma format). Mike is a loyal supporter of the UNT jazz program.

Brian Donohoe releases CD "Beatmaker"

04/09/2013 - 1:30pm


Alumnus Brian Donohoe and his band Progress, which includes alumnus Matt Muehling, released the CD Beatmaker on Feb. 14. The CD consists of six original compositions: two by Matt and four by Brian. Find our more at progress2.bandcamp.com.

City of Denton proclaims Jazz Appreciation Month and Day

04/16/2013 - 9:37pm

At the Denton City Council Meeting on April 16, 2013, Denton mayor Mark Burroughs read a proclamation that names April as Jazz Appreciation Month and April 30, 2013 as Jazz Day in Denton.

Chicago Meets The One O'Clock

04/22/2013 - 11:41am


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Members of The One O'Clock and friends had a special meet-and-greet with legendary band Chicago this weekend (April 20, 2013). Invited by Chicago trombonist and composer James Pankow, the North Texas Jazz students attended the show and had the wonderful opportunity to "talk shop" with one of the most successful bands of all time.

Charlie Young named artistic director of Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

04/23/2013 - 3:25pm


Congratulations to UNT alumnus Charlie Young, who has been named the new artistic director and conductor of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, replacing David Baker. More information is available in the Smithsonian press release.

UNT students win 16 recognitions in 2013 DownBeat Student Music Awards

04/30/2013 - 2:14pm


Laura Otero and Payawarú

UNT students and groups accounted for nine winners and seven outstanding performances in the 2013 DownBeat Student Music Awards. Read about them and listen to their music at jazz.unt.edu/downbeat.

Alan Baylock Orchestra with Doc Severinsen and Ernie Watts

05/04/2013 - 9:55am


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The Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra (ABJO) performed with music icon Doc Severinsen on March 22, and with legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts on April 24. Doc and the band were showcased as part of the Performing Arts Live series at Shenandoah University. Ernie and the band were featured in Washington, D.C. at the historic Blues Alley supper club. In July, the ABJO will be performing the opening concert at this year’s National Jazz Workshop, and will travel to Miami in August.

Band members include UNT alumni, Dave Perkel (’91), Alan Baylock (’95), Tyler Kuebler (’95, ’97), Luis Hernandez (’96), Jeff Martin (’96), Doug Morgan (’96), Ben Patterson (’96), Antonio Orta (’97), Rich Sigler (’10), and Luke Brimhall (’11).

AMP Trio has new CD, tour

05/08/2013 - 6:21pm


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AMP Trio is Perrin Grace, Addison Frei and Matt Young. They are featured in the June DownBeat Indie Spotlight section and also just posted a promo video on YouTube. Their record was released in March on the Armored Records label led by UNT alum Stockton Helbing.

www.amptrio.com | www.facebook.com/amptriomusic

Their music is available on CD Baby, iTunes and Spotify.

Dreams Come True For Award Winning Jazz Studies Alumni

05/20/2013 - 10:25am

New York, NY (May 5, 2012) - University of North Texas Alumni Brett McDonald (B.Mus 2010) and Dave Richards (M.Mus 2009), currently finishing the North American leg of the National Tour of Dreamgirls, prepare to travel to Japan for five weeks with the Tony and Grammy award winning Broadway production.

The pair have performed in over 130 shows since the tour began in December of 2012 in Yakima, WA.

The multi-talented Dave Richards, performs on trumpet and flugelhorn in the production, but was heard on trombone the Grammy nominated Lab 2009, where two of his compositions were also recorded by the One O'Clock Lab Band.

"I am very fortunate to have a job that takes me around the country" says Richards. "From Alaska to Canada, all the way down to Florida and five weeks in Japan - I wouldn't trade the experience for anything."

The critically acclaimed production spends four weeks at the recently constructed Tokyu Theatre in Tokyo, as well as one week in Osaka at the Shiki Theatre.

Saxophonist and flutist Brett McDonald commented, "The experiences and training I had at UNT have proved themselves indispensable in the post-graduation world of the music business. My teachers explained to me what was valued by contractors in the business, and prepared me for my time in New York City - ultimately leading to my role on this tour as well as Dave's."

McDonald was recognized several times for his compositions and saxophone playing while at UNT, by Downbeat Magazine and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Dreamgirls is still touring the United States, finishing June 9th in Dayton, OH.  The production opens in Tokyo on July 29th.

Contact:
Brett McDonald
brett.mcdonald@gmail.com
1.347.989.2738

Brett McDonald

 

  • Currently based in NYC
  • A member of the 2011 Downbeat award winning award Two O'clock Lab Band
  • Won a 2011 Downbeat Outstanding Performance for Jazz Soloist
  • Won best Blues/Pop/Rock group in the 2011 Downbeat awards as a member of the Sweatervescence
  • Two Compositions featured on the Two O'Clock Lab Band Album "Under The Radar"
  • The Beat In Progress has won two major awards - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ0Q_LpKdAE
  • 2011 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Awards
  • 2012 Jazz Education Network Jazz Composition Prize
  • A semifinalist in the 2012 North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz Saxophone Competition
  • Other UNT saxophonists competed - Aaron Hendenstrom was another semifinalist and Adam Hutcheson was a finalist, with Brian Clancy winning the competition.

 

Dave Richards

 

 

Josh Hanlon releases CD

05/21/2013 - 3:51pm


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Josh Hanlon, One O'Clock lab band alum (M.M. '06), and former adjunct instructor of jazz piano at UNT, has released his debut album on Armored Records (alum Stockton Helbing's label). (un)knowing features Josh's compositions and arrangements, and the playing of Jon Deitemeyer (dr), Brian Mulholland (bs), and Evan Weiss (tpt), all graduates of the program. It is available for download now on iTunes and cdBaby.

Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington release CD "Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Three"

05/28/2013 - 4:03pm

UNT alumni Paul Tynan, trumpet, and Aaron Lington, baritone saxophone, have released the CD Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Three, which also features Dan Murphy, piano; Corey Christiansen, guitar; Ashley Summers, bass; and UNT alumnus Jon Deitemyer, drums. You can hear sound clips at the OA2 Label site.

Junho Cha

05/31/2013 - 4:13pm

Congratulations to recent Jazz Studies master's graduate and drumset artist Junho Cha, who has just been hired as a full-time assistant professor at Howon University, in Gunsan, South Korea, the country's top university for applied music study. Junho studied drumset with Professor Ed Soph.

Gene Hall Centennial

06/12/2013 - 11:43pm

June 12, 2013 marks the centennial of Gene Hall's birth.

KNTU to broadcast Lab Band Madness 2013 on July 4

07/01/2013 - 1:14pm

KNTU is broadcasting Lab Band Madness 2013 from the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival this Thursday (7/4) from 11:00 a.m. until just after 8:00 p.m.

Link to KNTU page for this broadcast.

The name of our university

07/08/2013 - 10:53am

Many people associated with our program (myself included) have a lot of affection for the former name of our university, North Texas State University. But the university changed its name to the University of North Texas in 1988. I posted this so that students who see references to the former name and search on it might be more likely to be directed here. --John Murphy

Ben Haugland joins the Texas Tech University faculty

07/09/2013 - 8:55am

Pianist Dr. Benjamin Haugland, formerly a master’s student at UNT and a member of the One O’Clock Lab Band, was recently hired by Texas Tech University as the Assistant Director of Jazz Studies beginning in the fall of 2013. The position will focus on teaching jazz history, directing large and small jazz ensembles, and teaching applied jazz piano. Ben holds the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, the Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, and the Doctor of Arts in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.

Jim Snidero featured at AllAboutJazz

07/09/2013 - 9:02am

Saxophonist, educator, and alumnus Jim Snidero is the subject of a feature article at AllAboutJazz.

Nick Schroeder hired at Hutchinson Community College

07/09/2013 - 3:54pm

Nick Schroeder (B.M. in Jazz Studies, 2005) has been hired as the Coordinator of the Jazz Program at Hutchinson Community College effective in August 2013. He will direct the two big bands, jazz combo, and teach jazz courses and private lessons at Kansas's premier two-year school.

 

Jenny Kellogg hired at Eastern Washington University

07/09/2013 - 3:57pm

Jenny Kellogg, MM Jazz Studies trombonist, has just been appointed to the faculty of Eastern Washington University as trombone professor and director of the EWU jazz program. She recently completed her MM jazz degree as a student of Steve Wiest, Jan Kagarice, and arranger Richard DeRosa. For the past two years she has held the solo jazz chair of the One O'Clock Lab Band.

Esteban Alvarez releases CD

07/10/2013 - 9:52am

Pianist and M.M. graduate Esteban Alvarez has released the CD Tico Groove, which is available on CDBaby.

Jazz Winds Workshop

07/13/2013 - 10:46am


Big band concert at the Jazz Winds workshop on Wednesday, July 10, 2013. Photo by Stockton Helbing.

Dan Foster hired at Mansfield University

07/13/2013 - 3:31pm

Dan Foster, trumpeter and UNT master's alumnus, has just been hired as the Applied Trumpet and Jazz Instructor at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. Dan--like Neil Slater--is an alumnus of Mansfield University. Dan's faculty bio page.

Hubert Waldner's new site

07/16/2013 - 5:00pm

Alumnus Hubert Waldner, in Vienna, Austria, has a new website.

Mónica Gastelumendi featured in Chronicle of Higher Education ad

07/17/2013 - 3:38pm

Jazz master's student Mónica Gastelumendi was featured in this ad in the Feb. 15, 2013 Chronicle of Higher Education. She is the recent winner of the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship.

Maniacal4 release CD "Carry On"

07/17/2013 - 4:11pm
 

Maniacal4, the trombone quartet made up of Alex Dubrov, Nick Laufer, Carl Lundgren, and Matt Jefferson, all of whom are current or former students in our jazz program, have released the CD "Carry On". It features their muscular covers of "Carry on Wayward Son", "Rosanna", "Bohemian Rhapsody" and other tunes you will recognize.

Tyler Mire big band releases CD

07/19/2013 - 12:23pm

The Tyler Mire Big Band's debut album, "Enter the Atmosph-Mire" is now released through Armored Records. The CD contains 7 originals and 2 arrangements written by Mire, which features a stellar cast of young jazz musicians, most who are graduates from the University of North Texas. Credits | Track listing

Buy it here: www.cdbaby.com/cd/tylermirebigband
Armored Records Link: armoredrecords.com/Enter_the_Atmosph-Mire.htm
"Chris is How We Drew It": www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfgIqdm6mqQ

Steve Wiest Launches a New Project with ArtistShare®

07/22/2013 - 1:01pm

UNT Jazz Studies Division faculty member Steve Wiest has just launched a major new project with the Grammy Award-winning fan-funded platform ArtistShare®. The project is titled Concerto for Folded Space and will feature Wiest along with The Eclectic Electric Band (UNT alums Stockton Helbing on drums, Noel Johnston and Ryan Davidson: guitars, bassist Braylon Lacy and current UNT student Daniel Pardo on flutes) Special guest artists for the CD will include Bob Mintzer, Jimmy Pankow and Arlington Jones.

Featured this month on ArtistShare® along with Maria Schneider and Gil Evans:
http://www.artistshare.com/v4/Features

A unique aspect of this project is that all of the original pieces that Steve is writing will be programmatically informed by a novel that Wiest has also penned called The Dover Stone.

Click here to go the the ArtistShare® Project Site
www.artistshare.com/v4/projects/Index/330

Click here to go to Steve Wiest's new website to learn more about Concerto for Folded Space, download a free excerpt book from The Dover Stone, and read Wiest's new blog.
www.artistshare.com/stevewiest

Click here to go to Steve Wiest's new Concerto for Folded Space Facebook page
www.facebook.com/Wiestworld

Kevin Whalen hired at Columbus State University

08/16/2013 - 2:54pm

Kevin Whalen, a recent trumpet DMA graduate of UNT and former member of the One O'Clock Lab Band, has been hired as Visiting Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. He will be serving as the Director of Jazz Studies, directing the jazz band and jazz combos, teaching the jazz improvisation sequence, and teaching applied jazz lessons.

Clay Pritchard is a semifinalist in the Monk Competition

08/16/2013 - 2:59pm


Clay Pritchard, tenor; Jonathan Beckett, alto; Carl Murr (L) and Paul Compton, trombone, at 2008 tribute to Neil Slater and Jim Riggs
Clay Pritchard, a former student in our program and former member of the One O'Clock Lab Band, is a semifinalist in the 2013 Thelonious Monk Institute Saxophone Competition.

Marcos Merino hired at Universidad de las Américas

08/18/2013 - 8:32pm


Marcos Merino, left, and Juan Chaves, trumpet, working with students at la Fundación Batuta in Manizales, Colombia in June, 2013. Click for larger image.

Marcos Merino, pianist and May 2013 master's in jazz studies graduate, who is from Spain, has been selected to be a new faculty member at la Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA) in Ecuador. He will be teaching piano lessons, theory, and performance workshops for rhythm section players.

 

Sean Casey Wins US Army Jazz Ambassadors Audition

08/22/2013 - 11:39am

Congratulations to current student, Sean Casey, who has just won the audition for the Bass Trombone spot with the US Army Jazz Ambassadors

Scott Neary hired at la Universidad de Las Américas

08/30/2013 - 11:19am

Scott Neary, Canadian guitarist and May 2013 UNT jazz studies master's graduate, will be joining the faculty at la Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA) in Ecuador, along with fellow UNT grad Marcos Merino. Scott will be teaching jazz guitar lessons and other classes.

Carolina Calvache to release debut CD

08/30/2013 - 11:20am
 

Carolina Calvache, Colombian pianist, composer, and December 2010 UNT jazz studies master's graduate, will release her debut album on Sunny Side Records in early 2014.

Lynn Seaton receives UNT Creative Impact Award

08/30/2013 - 11:23am

Professor Lynn Seaton of the UNT Jazz Studies Faculty has received the Creative Impact Award as part of UNT's internal Research and Creativity Award recognition process. It's one of the Office of Research and Economic Development's highest honors.

Mónica Gastelumendi joins faculty of the Universidad Católica in Lima, Peru

09/02/2013 - 10:08am

Mónica Gastelumendi, 2013 UNT jazz studies master's graduate, has joined the faculty of the Universidad Católica in Lima, Peru. She is the Coordinator of the Vocal Area (in popular music styles), teaches voice lessons, and teaches a course in Vocal Arranging and Conducting.

Dan Haerle Quartet in Concert

09/02/2013 - 10:21am

The Dan Haerle Quartet presents a concert on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013 at 8 p.m. in Kenton Hall, room 282 of the Music Building. Admission is free. It's one of a series of concerts dedicated to late faculty pianists Bob Rogers and Harold Heiberg.

Dan Haerle, piano
Brad Leali, alto saxophone
James Driscoll, bass
Ed Soph, drum set

One O'Clock Lab Band starts Wednesday night series at Gateway Center

09/04/2013 - 11:59am

While the Union is being renovated, we have shifted our Wednesday night series of jazz ensemble performances to the Gateway Center, across North Texas Boulevard from the Murchison Performing Arts Center. The One O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Steve Wiest, starts the series on Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. Cover is $5. We confirmed with UNT Parking Services that visitors without a UNT permit can park in Lot 20, the Fouts Field lot, for these performances after 5 p.m. without worrying about getting a ticket. There will not be a Thursday noon series during the renovation.

schedule | map | photo

 

Stuart Mack is a finalist in the Caruso competition

09/09/2013 - 11:59am

We are very proud to announce that Stuart Mack has been chosen as one of five finalists for the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition. The competition is being held at the Cincinnati Conservatory on September 13 and 14, 2013.

Stuart will be performing his program Monday September 9th in Kenton Hall at 7PM. It is open to the public.

Neil Johnson earns spot in Lady Day: the musical

09/09/2013 - 2:10pm

Saxophonist Neil Johnson, UNT alumnus and former student of Jim Riggs, reports that he's won an audition for the Off-Broadway show Lady Day: the Billie Holiday Musical, starring Dee Dee Bridgewater. He'll play tenor sax in an on-stage band, in costume, with lines. He's also going to grad school full time.

 

Bill Green hired at Frostburg State University

09/11/2013 - 2:58pm

Saxophonist Bill Green, a spring 2011 UNT jazz studies master's graduate, has been hired as an adjunct faculty member at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, MD to teach jazz saxophone lessons and jazz combos. Congratulations!

Evan Oxenhandler hired at Brazosport College

09/12/2013 - 9:44am

Guitarist Evan Oxenhandler, fall 2012 UNT jazz studies master's graduate, has been hired as an adjunct faculty member at Brazosport College in Houston. This semester he'll be teaching private lessons in jazz guitar and private lessons in general jazz improv, and next semester he'll add a music appreciation class to his schedule.

One O'Clock Lab Band releases Lab 2013

09/12/2013 - 1:53pm

DENTON, Texas (UNT) – The six-time Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band releases its latest CD this month, an homage to the university town of Denton where jazz has reigned supreme since the program started in 1946 at UNT.

"Lab 2013 is yet another example of the amazingly high level of talent that our students possess," said Steve Wiest, director of the One O’Clock Lab Band. "This latest CD pays tribute to our beloved Denton, a town that not only supports our jazz program but continues to provide a welcoming and diverse live music scene. We hope that our fans not only enjoy this CD but have the chance to come and see us perform live in Dallas, Fort Worth and right here in Denton: 'Jazz Town U.S.A.'"

Songs about uniquely Denton institutions – such as graduate student Aaron Hedenstrom's tribute to his favorite breakfast eatery, Old West – and experiences – such as jazz professor Richard DeRosa's 4:30 a.m. wake up calls to the blaring of the A-Train horn – focus the recording on the city that has been home to the jazz program for nearly 70 years.

The One O'Clock will have two CD release events in the Metroplex:

 

One O'Clock fans who can't make it to the CD release events may purchase the CD online at Pender's Music or the UNT Music Store.

Additional One O'Clock Lab Band concert dates include:

 

  • 7 p.m. Nov. 7 (Thursday) at First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn St., in Fort Worth
  • 8 p.m. Nov. 26 (Tuesday) at Winspear Hall in the Murchison Performing Arts Center in Denton, with guest saxophonist Walt Weiskopf
  • 8 p.m. Dec. 7 (Saturday) at Winspear Hall in the Murchison Performing Arts Center in Denton, performing a holiday concert with the Jazz Singers
  • 8 p.m. Dec. 13 (Friday) at McDavid Studio at Bass Hall in Fort Worth, performing a holiday concert

 

More about LAB 2013

An Homage to Denton, Texas: "Jazz Town, USA"
Lab 2013 is proudly dedicated to Denton, Texas. Recently voted #1 on Business Insider's "Top Ten Best Small Towns in America," Denton has long been a hotspot for the arts and especially jazz. The downtown music scene is thriving and offers a wonderful laboratory for the music of UNT jazz students as well as visiting professionals. The people of Denton are big supporters of the arts with many of them working in some field of artistic endeavor as either professionals or amateurs themselves. Denton is a great place to live and a super-fertile environment in which to be making music. With Lab 2013, we salute the hometown of North Texas Jazz and The One O'Clock Lab Band!

Track Listing:
Take the 'A' Train (Billy Strayhorn/ arr. Richard DeRosa) 7:00
Old West (Aaron Hedenstrom) 8:04
Somewhere on the 33rd Parallel (Keith Karns) 7:49
Denton Standard Time (Steve Wiest) 9:40
As Time Goes By (Herman Hupfeld/ arr. Drew Zaremba) 9:30
Will or Would? (Neil Slater) 6:21
The Square (Keith Karns) 9:38
Honeybee (Aaron Hedenstrom) 5:41
Traffic Jam (Jenny Kellogg) 5:44

Total Time: 69:28

UNT jazz professor Richard DeRosa named chief conductor of Grammy award winning WDR Big Band

09/23/2013 - 2:42pm

DENTON, Texas (UNT) – College of Music jazz composition and arranging professor Richard DeRosa was recently named the new chief conductor of the Grammy award winning WDR Big Band, based in Germany. The appointment starts with the 2014-15 season.

Last fall, DeRosa traveled to Cologne, Germany, and spent 10 days with WDR Big Band while the band prepared and recorded music he had written. The band, which was in need of a new conductor, chose DeRosa because he is an experienced and imaginative arranger who commands a wide range of musical styles. This fits in well with the varied repertoire of the WDR Big Band. West German Broadcasting company owns the band, which is similar in idea to the former NBC Symphony Orchestra.

"I am really delighted that Rich DeRosa will be taking over the position of chief conductor of the WDR Big Band," said WDR Radio Director Wolfgang Schmitz. “Rich writes for the great figures of jazz and his orchestra work is outstanding. His stylistic diversity reflects his wide view of music. This corresponds exactly with the orientation which we pursue with the WDR Big Band."

At the University of North Texas, DeRosa teaches jazz composition/arranging. He has extensive experience as a conductor, and continues to write and perform music while teaching at UNT. He will continue to teach at the College of Music while conducting the band.

It’s important for students to learn from working musicians because those professors can impart real-world experiences and knowledge, DeRosa said.

“I also hope that my increased visibility will translate into attracting even more students to our world-class program, in particular to the jazz composition/arranging area,” DeRosa said.

DeRosa has toured and recorded with jazz greats like Gerry Mulligan and Bob Brookmeyer, and has produced arrangements for leading ensembles like Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the Big Band of Mel Lewis. DeRosa has also composed for television, film and theater, working on background music for Another World, As the World Turns, The Guiding Light, various commercials and PBS documentaries, and original scores for national touring theater company ArtsPower.
"I am very grateful and excited for the opportunity to become the new chief conductor and arranger of the most successful jazz ensemble in Europe, the WDR Big Band. My past experiences with these truly outstanding musicians have been very rewarding and I look forward to sustaining their great tradition as did my more recent predecessors Bill Dobbins and Mike Abene," said DeRosa.

One of the first concerts DeRosa will conduct with the WDR Big Band will include jazz vocalist Kurt Elling at the Berlin Jazz Festival.

http://news.unt.edu/news-releases/unt-jazz-professor-richard-derosa-named-chief-conductor-grammy-award-winning-wdr-big-b

Rich DeRosa on the campaign to preserve John Coltrane's Long Island home

09/24/2013 - 11:05am

This past weekend I traveled to New York to perform two concerts. The second one took place in my home town, Dix Hills (part of the township of Huntington) on Long Island. John Coltrane lived in that town in the mid-60s and I've attached pictures of the house along with a photo of the historic site marker (photos are below).

I thought the students might be interested in seeing the photos and learning about this recent historic development regarding the preservation of his home.

The home sits on three acres of land and has been abandoned for years. A decade ago a building developer bought the land in the interest of erecting several new homes on the property. Steve Fulgony, an avid Coltrane fan and resident of Huntington and the primary activist in this quest to save the home, notified the town about the previous residency of the jazz legend and measures were then taken to save the home. Subsequently, the Town of Huntington purchased the property from the developer and commenced with getting the home registered as an historic site.

At this point, the home is in severe disrepair and funds are being raised to renovate and eventually open it to the public as a museum. It was in this home where Coltrane composed "A Love Supreme". [ a page from the score.]

Members of my high school (Half Hollow Hills) jazz band (many of whom are still professional musicians) returned to our home town of Dix Hills (a smaller town within the greater township of Huntington) to perform a concert at the Dix Hills public library. The proceeds were donated to the Coltrane home renovation project.

Had he survived his battle with cancer, today (Sept. 23) would have been Coltrane's 87th birthday.

Rich DeRosa
Assoc. Professor, Jazz Comp & Arranging

Click on each photo for a larger version.

 

Armando Núñez organizes festival in Mexico

09/24/2013 - 1:29pm

Guitarist, author and UNT alumnus Armando Núñez, who serves as the Academic Director at Chihuahua's Music Conservatory and a faculty member at the Universidad de Chihuahua, was the organizer of a recent jazz festival in Chihuahua.

He sent this account of his work on the festival.

"Last December I was asked by the director of the Instituto Chihuahuense de la Cultura to act as curator of the Tercer Festival Internacional de Jazz de Chihuahua. The festival had been held twice before, but without a substantial budget and no careful planning. With no major jazz acts, those previous editions were focused on workshops, and although some very good musicians taught these workshops and played some concerts, the impact was minimal regarding the promotion of jazz in the city.

This year the State Government decided to jump in and dramatically increased the budget. They hired me and we put a team together to take care of logistics and organization in general. The festival was a huge success. It lasted seven days (August 19th to 25th), with concerts every night, workshops and seminars Monday through Friday (six hours each day), and local bands playing and holding jam sessions the nights after the main concerts, from Wednesday through Saturday. Five out of the seven concerts were sold out, with the other two filled at about 70% capacity.

Guest artists included Loe Lovano Quartet featuring Judi Silvano, Eddie Gómez's Trio, David Binney Quartet and Joshua Redman Quartet, as well as Mexican artists Agustín Bernal 5, Gerry López, Tom Kessler, Giovanni Figueroa, Edgar Dorantes, Ken Basman (Canadian national residing in Mexico), and Pulsar (my quartet).

The festival included four UNT alumni: Tom Kessler, Edgar Dorantes, Rodrigo Villanueva, and myself, as well as professor Stefan Karlsson. Stefan Karlsson and Ricardo Villanueva were members of the Eddie Gómez trio."

https://www.facebook.com/FestivalDeJazzDeChihuahua2012
http://diario.mx/Espectaculos/2013-08-22_20184dc3/festival-de-jazz-chihuahua-2013-cambia-de-sede/

 

Are you serious about playing lead trumpet?

10/01/2013 - 1:23pm

Originally posted by Jay Saunders on Aug. 14, 2008.

Here at the University of North Texas, we’re very serious about helping you be the very best jazz musician you can possibly be.

For those of you who are interested in lead trumpet playing, we’ll help you mature so that you can not only physically play the parts, but can do so as consistently as possible. That being said, being physically able to perform lead trumpet parts is only 50% of the job. To understand the versatility, different time feels and styles you’ll need, we’ll analyze the great lead players of the past and study the successful lead players of the present. All of these aspects will help you find your own style in a mature musical environment with some of the most talented students in the world.

Most of our “lead” graduates go to their own chosen corner of the world to live their lives in performance and/or education. Many of the exes end up in the large musical centers of performance. In the past few years, Scott Englebright, Adolfo Acosta, Pete De Siena and Jamie Hovorka have had wonderful success getting their careers started in the national arena. Scott Englebright was not only featured w/Maynard – he has also split lead on many CD’s, including Carl Saunders’ band and was featured recreating Maynard’s solos on a BBC recording. Another ex-Maynard lead player, Adolfo Acosta is with Tower of Power and is split lead on many of Chris Walden’s CD’s. Pete De Siena is split lead on Bill Holman’s band, Gordon Goodwin’s band, Bob Florence’s band, Carl Saunders' band, Mike Barone’s band and has played on many national TV shows in Los Angeles. Jamie Hovorka was featured w/Maynard’s band, split lead on Bobby Darin's tours and plays in Kim Richmond’s Concert Jazz Band.

If we go back a little farther into North Texas’ past, we find:
Gary Grant (lead Woody Herman; lead trumpet on a host of important jazz and pop CD’s, TV shows and movies – one of the most important lead players in Los Angeles
Craig Johnson (lead w/Maynard, split lead – John Fedchock’s New York Big Band, Gotham Jazz Orch, Bill Mobley’s Jazz Orch., many jazz CD’s, lead on Broadway shows – New York
Frank Greene (lead w/Maynard, Lead Dizzy Gillespie’s All-Star Alumni Big Band, lead Bob Mintzer, split lead Gerald Wilson’s NY Big Band, many jazz CD’s, movies and lead on Broadway shows - New York
Dan Fornero (split lead on Gordon Godwins’ Big Phat Band – many TV and movie credits)-L.A.
Marvin Stamm (Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Thad and Mel, lead Bob Mintzer)
Mike Williams (lead Count Basie band – last 18 years)
Jay Sollenberger (Chase, lead Maynard Ferguson, lead Stan Kenton) in Kansas City
Joe Rodriquez (lead Woody Herman and Buddy Rich) in San Francisco
Tom Delibro (lead Doc Severinson’s big band) 1st call Las Vegas lead player
Dean Pratt (lead, Buddy Rich, many New York bands) in New York
John Thomas (split lead, Woody Herman, lead Count Basie) in Los Angeles
Chuck Schmidt (Stan Kenton, lead Buddy Rich) retired
Larry Ford (Woody Herman, lead Stan Kenton, Bob Florence) deceased
Bill Stapleton (Woody Herman, Tom Jones) deceased
Carey Deadman- in Chicago
Jay Saunders (lead, Stan Kenton) in Dallas
Keith Jourdan (lead, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck) in Dallas
Dave Zeagler (Kenton) in Houston
Steve Rentschler in Europe
Brad Allison in Seattle
Marc Breithaupt (Duck Soup) in Austin
Bill Collins and Eric Guerrero in Dallas
Jack Wengrowski (lead, US Army Studio Band) – in Washington D.C.
Ric Steffen – in Nashville
Jack Evans (lead, Ray Charles) in Dallas
Updates, corrections and/or omissions? Please let me know – Jay Saunders

Stefan Karlsson Trio at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival

10/01/2013 - 1:28pm

Originally published by Stefan Karlsson on April 14, 2010.

Stefan Karlsson trio with Fred Hamilton on bass, and Ed Soph on drums will perform at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 13, 2010. This is the 9th Edition and dates are June 11-19, 2010.

Jazz Studies faculty member, Stefan Karlsson, travels to Italy, Korea and Spain

10/01/2013 - 1:29pm

Originally published by Stefan Karlsson on Sept. 18, 2007.

Jazz faculty member, Stefan Karlsson, did a 12-day tour (November 2006) throughout Italy with the Eddie Gomez Trio (including drummer Nasheet Waits). Most concerts were held in theatres and included mostly original music. While in Palermo, Sicily, the trio also squeezed in a recording ("Palermo"). The CD is released on the Italian label, Jazzeyes.

Stefan Karlsson trio (including bassist Tom Warrington and drummer Mark Ferber) were on tour in Seoul, Korea in November, 2006. The trio did three performances for sold-out audiences, and a clinic at the Dongduck Women's University. The trio was also invited to a rehearsal with the KBS (Korean Broadcasting Services) Traditional Music Orchestra. Karlsson was asked to play one piece with the ensemble.

Jazz faculty members Stefan Karlsson and Ed Soph did a week-long residency, this past March (2007), at the Conservatori-Liceu in Barcelona, Spain. The residency included master classes, recital performance, two nights at club Jambouree, and performance with the Conservatori big band at the Terrassa Jazz Festival. Also, a newly established exchange agreement is now official between UNT College of Music and Conservatori-Liceu students/faculty. If interested, contact Professor Karlsson.

Karlsson again on a 10-day tour in Italy (July 2007) with the Eddie Gomez Trio (featuring Duduka Da Fonseca on drums). The title of the tour was "Eddie Gomez' Latin Project", featuring Brazilian music. The music was very well-received. The same project is scheduled for a second tour in March, 2008.

Pictures from these trips can be viewed from "2007" in our photos link from the contents menu.

Other upcoming projects for Karlsson:
*New CD recording in New York City with Eddie Gomez (January, 2008)
*Japan tour with Eddie Gomez in January, 2008
*A five-day Artist-In-Residency at University of Northern Florida in Jacksonville with Eddie Gomez and Jimmy Cobb in February, 2008

Lab 2010 Now Available ONLINE!

10/02/2013 - 4:37pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 9/4/2010.

Click here to order online from Penders Music!!

The newest recording by the One O'Clock Lab Band: Lab 2010 is now available ONLINE.

Tracks include:
House of Cards (Kevin Swaim), Not Yet (Neil Slater), The Oracle (Kevin Swaim), New Cydonia (Steve Wiest), Fly Me to the Moon (Bart Howard, arr. Tierney Sutton, adapt. Dave Richards), Prime Directive (Dave Holland/arr. Josh Dresser), Newport (Slide Hampton), Pretzel Logic (Walter Becker and Donald Fagen/arr. Fred Sturm), Sword Fight (Dave Richards)

UPDATE
Soon, we will be addressing the issue of ordering many of our CDs and tracks online. Until that point, however, you can go to the Penders Music site and order it there via credit card.

You can also order the Two O'Clock's great CD Too Two online by going to this site at Pender's Music.

Stay tuned for more online options in the near future!

 

Free Download From Lab 2010

10/02/2013 - 4:38pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 8/11/2010.


You can now download (Free!) a track from the soon-to-be-released project by the One O'Clock Lab Band: Lab 2010
Just go to the Soundcloud website, click on the track "New Cydonia" and then click on the download arrow at the top of the track icon. If you'd like to learn more about the wonderful cover art for Lab 2010, check out the story on the One O'Clock website

The U-Tubes Perform in Washington D.C.

10/02/2013 - 4:39pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 3/12/2010


The UNT U-Tubes are the winners of The Eastern Trombone Workshop National Jazz Ensemble Competition for 2010. They will be performing on March 17 in Fort Myers Virginia right outside of Washington D.C. at 5:00pm Eastern Time. The event is hosted by The U.S. Army Blues big band and will feature a number of guest artists including jazz legend Curtis Fuller.

The concert will be streamed live on the internet.

 

New Lab 2009 Review

10/02/2013 - 4:40pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 12/25/2009.

There is a new review of The UNT One O'Clock's double Grammy-nominated CD Lab 2009 on the blog JB Spins. The blog is written by critic and author Joe Bendel who also writes for the entertainment paper Epoch Times.
Click here to go to the article

One O'Clock to Attend Grammy Show

10/02/2013 - 4:40pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 12/21/2009.

The current One O'Clock Lab Band (pictured) and the 11 former members of the band who performed on Lab 2009 are being sent to the 52nd Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles care of the UNT Administration. The current One O'Clock will already be on tour in California and will be making a heroic "old school" bus trip down to L.A. the night before from The Folsom Jazz Festival. The entire entourage will attend the "Pre-Tel" event where their categories are to be announced as well as the CBS Live Telecast at the Staples Center.

A huge thank you to President Gretchen Bataille, Provost Wendy Wilkins, and Dean James Scott for making this trip possible!

The One O'Clock Featured on Hartford CT Radio Show

10/02/2013 - 4:42pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 12/2/2009.

The UNT One O'Clock Lab Band will be the featured story along with an interview of director Steve Wiest by host Mark Channon this Thursday, December 3 from 9:00-11:00 AM Eastern Time. The program will be broadcast on 91.3 FM WWUH Radio in West Hartford, CT.

49th Annual One O'Clock Fall Concert

10/02/2013 - 4:44pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 10/30/2009.


The One O'Clock Lab Band will be performing their 49th annual fall concert on November 24 at 8:00 PM in Winspear Hall. The guest artist this year is jazz trombonist John Mosca, director of the Grammy Award-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Tickets are $10.00 Students $8.00 and can be purchased at the Murchison PAC ticket office via 940-369-7802 or www.thempac.com

Alumna Sara Jacovino is the 2009 Sammy Nestico Award Recepient

10/02/2013 - 4:54pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 9/29/2009.


Former trombone soloist with the UNT One O'Clcok Lab Band and student composer Sara Jacovino has been chosen as the 2009 recepient of the prestigious Sammy Nestico Award. The Top U.S. Air Force Jazz Ensemble, The Airmen of Note, will produce a professional quality recording of Sara's piece and perform the composition during the Jazz Heritage Series in Washington D.C. Additionally, Sara will be flown to Washington, D.C., for the performance and will receive a $2,000 follow on commission for a second work.

FYI To all UNT composers:
The deadline for submitting entries for the 2010 Sammy Nestico Award
is November 2, 2009. Application Info

 

One O'Clock Lab Band Site is Now Live

10/02/2013 - 4:55pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 9/4/2009.


The UNT One O'Clock Lab Band now has a website where you can learn all about concerts, gigs, the history of the group, and who is currently a member. The website also has a Forum where you can connect with UNT alumni and network with everyone who loves jazz. When you visit please also go to the Mailing List page and send us your contact information so that we can stay in touch!

 

Alumna Sara Jacovino Wins The 2009 Charlie Parker Composition Prize

10/02/2013 - 4:56pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 7/2/2009.


The $3,000 BMI Foundation annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize was awarded to UNT One O'Clock Lab Band Alum and talented composer Sara Jacovino on June 26 at the BMI Jazz Composer Workshop Showcase Concert. Pictured at the concert are (l-r) bassist Rufus Reid; drummer Dennis Mackrel; composer Darcy J. Argue; showcase winner Sara Jacovino; BMI VP, Corporate Communications Robbin Ahrold; Workshop Music Director Jim McNeely; and Workshop Associate Director Mike Holober.

Congratulations Sara!

New Enhanced Version of the "Out of The New" Video Featurette

10/02/2013 - 4:57pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 7/28/2008.

 

This is the newly enhanced full-length version of the Video Featurette by One O'Clock Engineer Phil Bulla of the soon-to-be-released Steve Wiest Quintet CD. The project features UNT Jazz faculty Fred Hamilton, Stefan Karlsson, Lynn Seaton, Ed Soph and Steve Wiest.

To see an even higher quality version of the clip go directly to Youtube and click on the "watch in high quality" link at the bottom right of the video box.

Sara Jacovino News

10/02/2013 - 4:59pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 5/2/2008.

UNT 1:00 Lab Band jazz trombonist Sara Jacovino was recently chosen as a co-winner in two categories of the Downbeat Magazine 31st Annual Student Music Awards:

Original Song
"Ordinary Deviation"

Original Extended COmposition
"Noctilucent shift"

Sara was also hired recently to perform with Sherrie Maricle and The Diva Jazz Orchestra on their current tour of Europe.

Congratulations to Sara on these great achievements!

UNT U-Tubes Win the Kai Winding International Trombone Festival Award

10/02/2013 - 5:00pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 2/12/2008.

The UNT U-Tubes, a new jazz trombone ensemble, has been chosen as the winners of the 2008 Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Competition. The group will be featured at the International Trombone Festival held this year in Salt Lake City, Utah May 28-31. The Kai Winding competition is open to jazz trombone groups internationally and is considered the most prestigious award of its kind.
Congratulations U-Tubes!

UNT 1:00 Trombonist Sara Jacovino Selected as 2008 Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Participant

10/02/2013 - 5:01pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 2/6/2008.

UNT 1:00 Lab Band soloist Sara Jacovino

 

Sara Jacovino learned this week that she has been chosen as a participant in the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Music Residency Program. Students from around the world competed for a spot in this program which will take place March 17-28th, 2008, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The Jazz Ahead program identifies outstanding, emerging jazz artists in their mid-teens and twenties, and brings them together under the tutelage of experienced artist-instructors who coach and counsel them, helping to polish their performance, composing and arranging skills.

The week-long residency program will include daily workshops and rehearsals with established jazz artists, and will culminate in three concerts on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage which will be broadcast live over the internet.

Congratulations Sara!

Steve Wiest Quintet Performs This Wednesday: Kenton Hall

10/02/2013 - 5:01pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 11/26/2007.

The Steve Wiest Quintet featuring Fred Hamilton: guitar, Stefan Karlsson: piano, Lynn Seaton: bass, and Ed Soph: drums will be performing this Wednesday, November 28 at 8:00pm in Kenton Hall. The group will be playing 6 new arrangements by Wiest. The theme of the program will be "Uncommon Ground: The Recomposing of Unusual Modern Pop, Rock, and Broadway Material into New Jazz Standards" Works featured include music by Cold Play, Aerosmith, Maroon 5, Sting, Stephen Schwartz, and Fred Rogers.

 

Steve Wiest: trombone and recompositions
Fred Hamilton: guitar
Stefan Karlsson: piano
Lynn Seaton: bass
Ed Soph: drums

Wednesday, November 28: 8:00pm
Kenton Hall

 

Debut of the U-Tubes at The Syndicate with Guest Artists Jim Pugh and Eijiro Nakigawa

10/02/2013 - 5:02pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 11/6/2007.

The newest ensemble at UNT: The U-Tubes will debut on Wednesday at the Syndicate with special guests Jim Pugh and Eijiro Nakigawa. The U-Tubes is a jazz trombone-with-rhythm section band and is under the direction of UNT faculty member Steve Wiest. The group plays all original compositions and arrangements by UNT students
and focuses on adding to the repertoire of the modern jazz trombone tradition.

Internationally renown jazz artists Jim Pugh and Eijiro Nakagawa will be presenting a master class in the Concert Hall at Noon, and then will play a couple of tunes with rhythm section at the Syndicate as well as sitting in on a piece with the U-Tubes. The night will begin with the UNT 6:00 Lab Band. The concert starts at 9:00pm. See you there!

The U-Tubes with Jim Pugh and Eijiro Nakigawa
The 6:00 Lab Band
@ The Syndicate
Wednesday, November 7: 2007
9:00pm

 

ETW Jazz Trombone Competition Info!

10/02/2013 - 5:03pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 9/10/2007.

UNT Alum and trombonist extraordinaire Harry Watters just sent me the current ETW jazz trombone competition info. As you know (if you don't..you'd better!) I am requiring all of my students (and the U-Tubes) to enter any and all jazz competitions. The ETW is one of the best. So, check out the info, see if it fits you and get to work!

Here it is:

National Jazz Solo Competition
-age limit: 29
-deadline for entries: January 11th, 2008
-Giant Steps as a bossa nova, quarter note between 104 and 112
-Ballad of your choice
-Swing tune of your choice
-entry CDs should be recorded live with a rhythm section, with no editing
-include all contact information directly on the disc
-finalists will be notified by February 25th, 2008
-if selected as a finalist, you will be expected to compete in the final round at ETW on Thursday, March 13th, 2008. A rhythm section will be provided for you.
-if selected as the winner, you will be expected to perform as a guest on one selection with the Army Blues the evening of Friday, March 14th
-final contestants are responsible for all travel/lodging expenses

ETW/Capitol Bones Jazz Ensemble Competition
-deadline for entries is January 11, 2008
-include three contrasting selections, highlighting ensemble playing and jazz improvisation
-no mass trombone choirs (eight trombones or less, with rhythm section)
-include all contact information directly on the entry disc
-the winning ensemble will be notified by February 25th, 2008
-the winning ensemble will perform a full one hour recital at ETW on Friday, March 14th, 2008
-the winning ensemble is responsible for all travel/lodging expenses
-if you know that your group will not be able to perform at ETW if selected as the winner, do not enter the competition. If your ensemble is selected as the winner and your members (including your rhythm section players) are not available to perform on the ETW recital, your group will be ineligible to compete the following year.

Submit all entries to:
Harry Watters, Jazz Coordinator, The Eastern Trombone Workshop
The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own)
400 McNair Rd
Ft. Myer, VA 22211

Call For U-Tubes Charts!

10/02/2013 - 5:04pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 9/3/2007.

Hi Folks!

I have spoken to a number of you concerning writing for The U-Tubes. I of course would like to have these charts ASAP (the more rehearsal time, the better!), so here are some parameters:

Instrumentation
6 tenor trombones (lead line can go up to a D 8VA above middle C, and the occasional high F)
2 bass trombones (can write down to a pedal F)
piano, bass, drums, guitar

Think modern, different, swingin 1:00 Lab Band sounds.
Use 1:00 recordings for inspiration and ideas. You can arrange
a standard, jazz standard, or compose an original. Here are some other great writers to check out for direction:

Slide Hampton
Thad Jones
Bob Brookmeyer
Walt Weiskopf
David Hazeltine
Bob Mintzer
Maria Schneider
etc, etc.

Groups to listen to for trombone-band style and possibilities:

New York Trombone Conspiracy
CD: "A Matter of Time"

Them Bones
CD: "You Asked For It: Them Bones"

Slide Hampton's World of Trombones
CDs:
"Spirit of the Horn"
"World of Trombones"

The Capitol Bones
CD: "Epistrophy"

"Cream of the Crop" Bobby Knight's Great American Trombone Company
Specifically:
"Recuerdos"
(All other charts for trombone ranges and textures)

Happy Writing!

 

Announcing The U-Tubes!

10/02/2013 - 5:04pm

Originally posted by Steve Wiest on 8/18/2007.

First of all, I would like to say to all the UNT jazz majors how thrilled I am to be beginning my gig here this semester. I have missed the scene at Jazz Valhalla since I left in the 1980's and am thrilled to be coming back home. I look forward to kicking everyone's a-- I mean working with each and every one of you! (I plan to take as much as I give; we are all students in the final analysis).

And now, the announcement: A new group will be added to the august legion of ensembles at UNT this Fall:

The U-Tubes!

The U-Tubes is a jazz trombone band with full rhythm section. (The end of a trombone slide is a u-shaped tube...get it? HA! No relation to the wildly popular video upload site YouTube.com...it just sounds like it!) I plan on getting the group together right away and playing as much as possible. Here are some of the activities that are on-tap for this year:

1. Enter all trombone band competitions (ITA, ETW, etc)
2. Record a CD in the Spring
3. Showcase UNT student compositions and arrangements
(hmmm...sounds like a cool requirement for one of the arranging classes...)
4. Perform at select high schools and universities in the area and beyond to recruit killin' jazz trombonists to UNT.

So, lots to do! Here's what the group will consist of:

5-8 trombones (depending on the semester and the arrangements)
Piano
bass
drums and percussion
guitar

Auditions will be via the regular Lab Band auditions.

If you are psyched, pumped, interested, or confused:
drop me a line at

swiest@music.unt.edu

 

Brad Leali and Chad Willis interviewed about Lyle Lovett tour

10/09/2013 - 12:00pm


Prof. Brad Leali and current student Chad Willis toured with Lyle Lovett in August 2013. Here's a profile in UNT InHouse.

UNT jazz master's alumnus Edgardo Rivera plays on Latin Grammy-nominated album

10/14/2013 - 2:10pm


Edgardo Rivera playing with the UNT Latin Jazz Lab at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival on April 23, 2010. Click for larger image.

Pianist and 2011 jazz studies master's graduate Edgardo Rivera plays piano on the CD Sentimentales, by singer Lucy Fabery and trumpeter Humberto Ramirez. The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the Best Traditional Tropical Album category. You can listen at CDBaby.

 

Lab 2013 montage

10/15/2013 - 7:09am

This is a montage of all nine pieces from Lab 2013 by the six-time Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band. Lab 2013 is an homage to Denton, Texas with all the compositions and arrangements pertaining to our hometown via texture, vibe, thing or place. We hope you enjoy these excerpts and will drop by our College of Music online store to order the entire CD!

The Lab 2013 One O'Clock Lab Band is:
Saxophones:
Devin Eddleman (lead)
Alex Fraile
Aaron Hedenstrom
Nick Salvucci
Spenser Liszt

Trombones:
Isaac Washam (lead)
Jenny Kellogg
Julie Gray
Jon Gauer
Sean Casey

Trumpets:
Chad Willis (lead)
Robby Yarber
Preston Haining
Keith Karns
Suart Mack

Rhythm Section:
Addison Frei (piano)
Matt Young (drums)
Scott Neary (guitar)
Young Heo (bass)

Steve Wiest: Director

Marjorie Lynn Hall dies at 95

10/16/2013 - 1:55pm

We note with sadness the passing of Marjorie Lynn Hall, 95, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2013. Marjorie Lynn was the widow of Gene Hall, the founder of our jazz studies program. Read more about Gene Hall. Marjorie Lynn attended jazz events frequently and was especially fond of the Jazz Singers. She hosted receptions for summer jazz combo workshop faculty in her home.

Addison Frei visits Wichita State University

10/16/2013 - 3:07pm

It's not often that our current students are featured as guest artists at other universities. It's even more unusual for a current undergraduate student to do so. That's what Addison Frei will do on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, when he visits Wichita State University. He'll offer an improvisation clinic and coach ensembles. Addison is the leader of the AMP Trio (http://amptrio.com/), a 2013 Yamaha Young Performing Artist, and a winner of the 2012 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award. Congratulations to Addison and to his mentor, Prof. Stefan Karlsson.

Small Group program guest artists for fall 2013

10/19/2013 - 12:21pm

Every fall, the small group program in the Jazz Studies division at the University of North Texas College of Music hosts guest artists who meet with each of our combos and play a concert. The small group program is thriving under the direction of Stefan Karlsson, our professor of jazz piano and a busy performing artist himself. This year we are glad to welcome two groups of guest artists.

Bassist Eddie Gomez and saxophonist Seamus Blake will visit on October 22 and 23, 2013. They'll meet with each of our 21 combos on those days for individual coaching sessions. On Wednesday, Oct. 23, they'll do a Q&A session for all of the students in the small group program from 4-4:50 p.m. in Kenton Hall. Also on Wednesday, Oct. 23, they'll play a concert at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall along with Stefan Karlsson, piano, and Ed Soph, drums. The concert is free for jazz faculty and for students enrolled in MUCM 3550/5550. There will be a $5 general admission charge.

In addition to the performances on campus, Eddie Gomez, Stefan Karlsson, and Ed Soph will play a trio concert at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton on Thursday, Oct. 24 (9 p.m., $15). The same trio will play again at Cezanne in Houston on Friday, Oct. 25 (9 p.m., $20) and at Casa Karen in Austin on Saturday, Oct. 26 (8 p.m., $40).

The second group of guest artists is the Hal Galper Trio, who will offer a clinic for students in the small group program on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2-4 p.m. in Kenton Hall. The Hal Galper Trio will also perform a concert on the evening of Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. in Kenton Hall. There is no admission fee for students enrolled in MUCM 3550/5550. General admission is $5 at the door.

For further information about the events at UNT, please contact the Jazz Studies office at (940) 565-3743 or jazz@unt.edu. Parking for evening concerts at UNT is allowed in the lot between the music practice buildings and Bain Hall; parking is not allowed in the lot behind Chilton Hall. For information about events not at UNT, please contact the venue.

Ronald Shannon Jackson (1940-2013)

10/24/2013 - 10:36am

Ronald Shannon Jackson, the drummer and bandleader, died on Oct. 19, 2013, at his home in Ft. Worth. He was our guest artist for the Jazz Lecture Series in February 2007, and gave the students a vivid sense of the breadth of his career, from his hard bop apprenticeship, to his work with Albert Ayler, Cecil Taylor, and Ornette Coleman, and to his leadership of The Decoding Society.

Nov. 3 concert presents Jazz from the Kennedy White House

11/01/2013 - 12:49pm

A UNT jazz faculty sextet will recreate the program of the first jazz concert at the White House, by the Paul Winter Sextet in 1962, at a concert on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 at Dallas City Performance Hall (2520 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201). The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. The first part of the concert includes classical chamber music from concerts at the Kennedy White House. The last portion of the concert features Mike Steinel, trumpet; Brad Leali, alto saxophone; John Murphy, baritone saxophone; Stefan Karlsson, piano; Lynn Seaton, bass; and Ed Soph, drums. Tickets are from $10-$30 and can be purchased at www.theMPAC.com or by calling (940) 369-7802.

Paul Winter is aware that we are doing this concert. In an email today (Nov. 1, 2013), he wrote: "I'm honored that you're doing a concert of the Sextet's music." The Paul Winter Sextet will reunite to play at the Kennedy Center on Nov. 19 and the Kennedy Library on Nov. 22. Paul also sent a link to this documentary video about the group's South American tour and the White House concert:

Darcy James Argue in residence at UNT

11/07/2013 - 10:59am

Mayor Mark Burroughs declares 11/19/13 "One O'Clock Lab Band Day"

11/19/2013 - 11:32pm

In an official proclamation ceremony today, Mayor Mark Burroughs of Denton Texas designated Tuesday, November 19, 2013 as "One O'Clock Lab Band Day" in an official proclamation ceremony at the Denton City Hall. The current One O'Clock along with Steve Wiest, John Murphy, Assistant Dean Raymond Rowell, Katy Kinard and Craig Marshall were in attendance along with Floyd Graham's daughter Pati Haworth. Council person Pete Kamp was instrumental in setting up the proclamation.

A small group from the band played a rendition of "Take the A-Train" which referred to Rich DeRosa's great arrangement included on the CD. A video of the event will be available soon. The proclamation will be framed and on display in the jazz studies division office.

Congratulations to the One O'Clock and North Texas Jazz!

Click on the image to see a larger version:

53rd annual One O'Clock Lab Band Fall Concert with guest Walt Weiskopf

11/20/2013 - 5:25pm


click for larger image

Walt Weiskopf joins the One O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Steve Wiest, for the 53rd annual fall concert on Nov. 26, 2013 at 8 p.m. in Winspear Hall. See the press release for more information. Tickets may be purchased online at www.thempac.com.

The Two O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Jay Saunders, releases Kind of Two

11/26/2013 - 12:13am

The Two O'Clock Lab Band, under the direction of Jay Saunders, has just released its new CD, Kind of Two. You can order it in our online store.

Spring, 2013 Two O’Clock Lab Band
Saxes: Drew Zaremba, Alex Hahn, Chris Reardon, Niels Rosendahl, Kelsey Pickford
Trumpets: Jake Boldman, Andy Cresap, Ransom Miller, John Hallman, Ally Hany
Trombones: Zach Steele, Matt Corrigan, Seth Weaver, Dan Marion, Chris Sharpe
Piano: Sergio Pamies
Guitar: Horace Bray
Bass: Jake Greenburg
Drums: Nolan Byrd
Percussion: Lupe Barrera

1. Little Gus (Paul McKee) 6:16
2. Café au Lait (Dave Zoller) 6:06
3. Infant Eyes (Wayne Shorter) arr. Rich DeRosa 6:02
4. Chris is How We Drew It (Tyler Mire) 3:20
5. You Don’t Know What Love Is (Gene De Paul/Don Raye) arr. Kim Richmond 6:53
6. Windows (Chick Corea) arr. Drew Zaremba 9:19
7. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore (Duke Ellington/Bob Russell) arr. Jenny Kellogg 4:14
8. Sink, Sank, Swunk (Drew Zaremba, Brian Ward) arr. Drew Zaremba 6:48
9. Song for My Father (Horace Silver) arr. Rich DeRosa 7:53
10. A Soundsketch (Bob Florence) 8:16
11. Green Onions (Booker T. Jones) arr. Drew Zaremba 8:14

Dec. 7 concert is canceled

12/06/2013 - 5:42pm

The Sounds of the Holidays: An Evening with North Texas Jazz concert, scheduled for Dec. 7, has been canceled due to the weather. Murchison Performing Arts Center staff will be working to contact patrons and refund ticket purchases.

Article on student success by Michael D'Angelo

12/07/2013 - 12:05pm

Michael D'Angelo, an alumnus whose time at UNT included playing drumset in the One O'Clock Lab Band, wrote this article on student success.

Jon Deitemyer plays on three new CDs

12/08/2013 - 9:33am

Photo credit: Elise Botiveau

Drummer Jon Deitemyer, a 2004 UNT jazz bachelor's graduate, has played on three CDs in the past year: Smash: Patricia Barber on Concord Records; Wake an Echo: Matt Ulery's Loom on Greenleaf Records; and Essential Elements: Ben Paterson on MaxJazz.

JazzJaus selected for entrepreneurship workshop

12/08/2013 - 9:18pm

Carolina Araoz Medanic conducting the JazzJaus big band

JazzJaus, the dynamic, socially-engaged jazz school in Lima, Peru, whose presidenta is our alumna Carolina Araoz Medanic, is one of 6 organizations out of 180 in Peru to win a spot in an entrepreneurship workshop that is run by the Fundación BBVA (a large bank's foundation) and the Entrepreneurship Center of the Universidad Católica.

Two UNT jazz alumni are part of Grammy-nominated Brooklyn Babylon

12/09/2013 - 4:02pm

Brooklyn Babylon by Darcy James Argue's Secret Society has been nominated for the 56th Annual Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording. Rob Wilkerson and John Guari are two UNT Jazz Alumni who contributed to the project.

Rob has been a long-time member of Secret Society's woodwind section and his playing can be heard on this recording as well as the ensemble's first album, Infernal Machines. John Guari served as Associate Producer for the tracking sessions at Avatar Studios in Manhattan.

JEN 2014

12/19/2013 - 4:33pm

We're preparing for the Jazz Education Network conference in Dallas on Jan. 8-11. Current and former UNT students and faculty will be very active at this year's conference. We will have booth there, so please stop by to find out about studying at UNT, performances and clinics at JEN by UNT Jazz Studies faculty and students, and our alumni reception.

2014 Jazz Lecture Series

12/20/2013 - 2:48pm

Our Jazz Lecture Series was started in 1982 by Neil Slater, who had just started at UNT after many years in the New York area. Neil said that he couldn’t take the students to New York, but he could bring New York to the students. Since 1982, our students have been able to learn from and talk with guest artists from New York and lots of other places. Here's the lineup for spring 2014. Lecture series sessions are 9:30-10:50 and 2-3:20 in the recital hall in the music building and are open to the public. Please contact us in advance if you plan to bring a group of any size.

1/28 Jeremy Pelt, trumpet
2/4 Billy Harper, saxophone (afternoon session only)
2/11 Julian Lage, guitar
2/18 Marshall Gilkes, trombone
2/25 Ryan Truesdell, composer-arranger
3/4 Phil Markowitz, piano
3/18 Bob Cranshaw, bass
4/22 Joey Baron, drums

Allen Jazz Invitational on March 22, 2014

12/23/2013 - 10:18am

 

Allen Jazz Invitational from Allen Performing Arts Center on Vimeo.

 

From the press release:

JBGL CAPITAL, LP PRESENTS...
ALLEN JAZZ INVITATIONAL
The Allen Jazz Invitational will be Saturday, March 22, 2014, headlined by the One O’Clock concert at 7:00 pm in the state of the art, Allen Performing Arts Center located at 300 Rivercrest Blvd on the campus of the Allen HighSchool.

For the past two years, the Allen Performing Arts Center, partnering with the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, has brought in AMAZING artists, Denis DiBlasio, Frank Greene, Stockton Helbing, and Wayne Bergeron, who all played in Maynard Ferguson’s band. These concerts were inspired by the music of Maynard Ferguson and his legacy to jazz. We are excited to announce that ALL FOUR artists will be here for this year’s inaugural event as we take jazz to the next level!

This year we are expanding by introducing the first Allen Jazz Invitational on March 22, 2014. Our goal is to create a positive, exciting,educational experience for participating jazz ensembles, the audience and guest artists. This environment will be an opportunity to explore jazz in a comfortable setting that is inviting for jazz enthusiasts of all ages! The hottest jazz bands in the state have accepted our invitation for this high energy unprecedented event! Featured invitational bands are Plano Senior High, Wylie High School, Newman Smith High School, McKinney North High School, Southlake Carroll High School, Brazoswood High School and Allen High School.

This day will include:

 

  • Participating high school performances with guest artist’s critique beginning at 9:30 am
  • Guest artists“hands on” clinics with all high school ensembles immediately after each performance
  • Master classes with guest artists (sax, trumpet, bones, rhythm section) at 3:00 pm
  • Artist panel discussion including open forum Q & A for students immediately after masterclasses
  • "Outstanding Performance" certificates recognizing exemplary student performance at final concert
  • Sherman Jazz Museum exhibit
  • Jazz merchandise, Allen Jazz Invitational t-shirts, guest artist and One O’Clock recordings and merchandise
  • The UNT OneO’Clock Lab Band in concert with featured artists at 7:00 pm

 

Purchase of a concert ticket will be your pass for access to all events throughout the day. Ticket prices range from $50.00 to $10.00. BUY TICKETS: allenisd.org/pac

Ed Soph and Paris Rutherford to be honored at JEN 2014

01/06/2014 - 10:03am

Ed Soph and Paris Rutherford will be honored as 2014 LeJENds of Jazz Education on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 at the Jazz Education Network annual conference in Dallas. Tickets can still be ordered; today (Jan. 6) is the deadline. Click to order tickets.

NEA Jazz Master Candido Camero is being honored at the same event as Inaugural LeJENd of Latin Jazz "Keeper of the Flame". The UNT Latin Jazz Lab, directed by José Aponte, will play at this event in his honor.

 

UNT Jazz activities at JEN 2014

01/06/2014 - 9:37pm

Here's a list of performances and other activities by current UNT people at the Jazz Education Network conference.

Lynn Seaton Jazz Double Bass Workshop

01/15/2014 - 9:34pm

Registration is now open for the Lynn Seaton Jazz Double Bass Workshop.

The Funky Knuckles release their second CD

01/24/2014 - 2:12pm


Dallas-based band The Funky Knuckles, which includes several UNT Jazz alumni, is releasing its second CD, Meta-Musica. They're on the groundUP label that Mike League started along with Snarky Puppy.

Meta-Musica made it to #1 on the iTunes Jazz Charts in recent days. Next week they are going to do a big CD Release Show on 1/27/14 at The Free Man (2626 Commerce in Dallas). They also have a weekly Monday residency at the same venue. Band members Ben Bohorquez, Evan, Phill and Wes Stephenson all attended the UNT Jazz Studies program.

Band Members:
Wes Stephenson, bass (band leader)
Caleb Sean McCampbell, keys
Cedric Moore, Drums
Phill Aelony, guitar
Evan Weiss, trumpet
Ben Bohorquez, sax

Special guests on Meta-Musica: Mark Lettieri, guitar; Frank Moka, percussion; Cyfa Fix, MC

Band website: www.thefunkyknuckles.com

Bandcamp: http://funkyknuckles.bandcamp.com/

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/meta-musica/id795130941

Snarky Puppy prepares for the Grammys

01/24/2014 - 2:15pm

Article by Sarah Blaskovich for the Dallas Morning News.

Congratulations to alumni for Grammy recognition

01/27/2014 - 12:32pm

WINNER – Best R&B Performance
Snarky Puppy and Lalah Hathaway
-Band founded and led by Michael League, bass (attended 2002-2006)
-Nate Werth, percussion (attended 2001-2008)
-Justin Stanton (MM ’10)
-Bob Lanzetti, electric guitar (BM ’04)
-Mike Maher (BM ’05)
-Chris Bullock, tenor sax (attended 2005-2010)
-Jay Jennings, trumpet (attended 2002-2006)

WINNER – Best Tropical Latin Album
Pacific Mambo Orchestra
-Aaron Lington, saxophone (MM ’01, DMA ‘05)
-Steffen Kuehn, trumpet, co-leader (B.M. Jazz Studies, 1993)

WINNER – Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
A Roomful of Teeth
-Cameron Beauchamp, voice (attended 1998 – 2008)

NOMINEE – Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
album: Brooklyn Babylon
-Rob Wilkerson, saxophone (MM ’00)
-John Guari, associate producer (BM ’07; MM ’09)

NOMINEE – Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording
Dave Slonaker Big Band
-Clay Jenkins (B.M., music theory)
-Tom Luer (attended 2002-2003)

NOMINEE – Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording
Alan Ferber Big Band
Album: March Sublime
-Rob Wilkerson, saxophone (MM ’00)

This list was compiled by Rachel Yoder of the College of Music.

Dan Haerle publishes "Magic Motives

01/30/2014 - 10:17am

Dan Haerle's new book Magic Motives has just been published by Jamey Aebersold. Link to catalog page.

He introduces the concept in this video:

Mihwa Kim releases CD "Roja"

01/30/2014 - 10:22am

Recent master's graduate Mihwa Kim has released a new CD, "Roja". Here's her Facebook page for the CD.

Wana Hong releases new CD

01/30/2014 - 10:36am

Violinist Wana Hong has released a new CD, "First Impression". Also heard on the CD are Sergio Pamies, piano; Young Heo, bass; Rasmus Blixt, drums.

Dan O'Brien arrangement selected for Arranging Ellington project

01/30/2014 - 2:48pm

Dan O'Brien's submission for the Carnegie Hall Musical Exchange program, Arranging Ellington, is one of three selected to be performed at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall in a concert featuring much of Duke Ellington's Sacred Music on March 30th. His submission is an arrangement of "Come Sunday" for alto voice, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, and drums, and was adjudicated by Darcy James Argue with members of the Carnegie Hall staff.

Dan O'Brien is a UNT jazz master's student. He plans to attend the concert, and will receive an archival recording of the performance, which will feature Claudette Sierra (voice), Chris Washburne (trombone), John Walsh (trumpet), Ole Mathisen (tenor), and Eli Yamin (piano), and the rest of the band which has yet to be announced.

Congratulations to Dan and his faculty mentor Richard DeRosa!

Dan Haerle Quartet at JEN 2014

01/31/2014 - 3:05pm

Dan Haerle Quartet at JEN 2014: Dan Haerle, piano; Brad Leali, alto saxophone; James Driscoll, bass; Ed Soph, drums.

Addison Frei, Keith Karns win ASCAP awards

02/03/2014 - 4:25pm

Current jazz studies undergraduate Addison Frei and current jazz studies doctoral student Keith Karns are among the 2014 winners of the 2014 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award.

From the press release:

New York, NY January 30, 2014: ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams has announced the recipients of the 2014 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards. Established by The ASCAP Foundation in 2002 to encourage gifted jazz composers under the age of 30, the program carries the name of the great trumpeter and ASCAP member Herb Alpert in recognition of The Herb Alpert Foundation’s multi-year financial commitment to support this unique program. The recipients, who receive cash awards, range in age from 11 to 29, and are selected through a juried national competition.

Commenting on the awards, Paul Williams said, "The talented young music creators we recognize through this program represent the future of jazz composition. We congratulate the recipients and extend thanks to the dedicated panel of ASCAP composers who selected the honorees. We are delighted to partner with the Herb Alpert Foundation in this significant endeavor that represents one of the brightest moments in ASCAP’s centennial year."

The Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award Winners will be honored during ASCAP’s Jazz Wall of Fame event on June 9, 2014 at the New York Institute of Technology in New York City.

Noel Johnston releases two CDs

02/10/2014 - 12:08am


Guitarist and composer Noel Johnston, UNT alumnus and adjunct instructor of guitar, has just released two new CDs on Armored Records. Marshmallow features Clay Pritchard on tenor, Adam Thomas on bass, and Stockton Helbing on drums. Salted Coffee features Jason "JT" Thomas on drums, Jeff Plant on bass, Shaun Martin on organ and keys, and Greg Beck on percussion. Noel will play a CD release show at Dan's Silver Leaf in Denton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014 at 9 p.m.

Gilberto Contreras's beautiful work with notation in Lilypond

02/19/2014 - 1:18pm


click for larger image

by John Murphy

Guitarist Gilberto Contreras completed his bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies at UNT in 2009. Soon he will complete his master's in Jazz Studies. One of his recent projects is an arrangement of Chopin's Nocturne No. 13 for guitar, which he prepared beautifully using Lilypond, the open-source music notation program.

Most music notation programs use a graphical user interface. The user clicks and drags and selects from menus. Lilypond is different: the user writes code in a text file which is then interpreted by Lilypond to produce the notated music as a PDF. It's very pleasing to read and play from. Here's a tutorial. I use Lilypond to make leadsheets. The basic syntax is easily grasped: c4 is a quarter note on C; r8 is an eighth-note rest. I like the way the durations of chord changes can be entered in terms of rhythmic values, so the chord symbols appear exactly where they should above the notation--no more dragging in the Finale interface. I've suggested it to students for years, but they've all preferred the point-and-click ease of Finale or Sibelius to the steep but ultimately fascinating learning curve of Lilypond.

All, that is, except Gilberto Contreras.* He accepted my suggestion that he learn Lilypond. In the past year his skill with the program has far surpassed mine. Why doesn't he choose Finale or Sibelius? Because he's legally blind. He has very limited vision. With the contrast reversed and the text greatly enlarged, he can work with one line of text at a time. This makes the graphical user interface of Finale inaccessible to him. The text-based coding of Lilypond, on the other hand, is compatible with his working methods. The score excerpt above is an example of the 77 intricately-notated measures of his arrangement. The code sample below is the opening of 7-1/2 single spaced pages of code, which he composed and edited one line at a time.

Gilberto plans to record and publish his arrangement. When it becomes available, I'll add information about it to this post.


click for larger image
---
*If you are one of my students who learned to use Lilypond and I didn't remember it, let me know and I'll revise this.

Rick Drumm on Music Business and Careers

02/21/2014 - 12:48pm

1:00-2:30 in Music Building room 287 on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014
Free and open to the public

Rick Drumm is a 33-year veteran of the music products industry. His career includes being president of D’Addario & Company, president of Vic Firth Inc., CEO of Midco International and director of sales and marketing for Remo, Inc. Rick has developed numerous percussion products for Remo, Vic Firth, Evans and Promark. He has also developed and directed educational and artist programs for all the aforementioned companies.

His initial goal was to be a studio drummer. Rick studied drums with Ed Shaughnessy, drummer for the Tonight Show and he also studied with Sonny Igoe, CBS staff musician for the Ed Sullivan and Jackie Gleason shows.

After high school, he performed with the U.S. Air Force NORAD band with UNT guitar professor, Fred Hamilton and the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue his goal of being a studio drummer and discovered other interests that created a new and unexpected path into the music business.

Come hear Rick Drumm speak about making a career in the music products business and how you can adapt to unexpected changes in your music career paths.

Ryan Truesdell with the One O'Clock Lab Band

02/25/2014 - 12:52pm

Music from Miles Ahead and New Bottle, Old Wine
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. 5 p.m. Voertman Hall in the Music Building
Ticket Information:
General admission $10
Non-UNT Students/UNT faculty outside the College of Music $8
Free for UNT students and College of Music Faculty and Staff

Ryan Truesdell is a composer of diverse musical tastes and influences with a healthy reverence for jazz tradition and an ever-broadening sonic palette. He received his Masters degree in Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music and immersed himself in a broad range of musicals styles while studying composition with Bob Brookmeyer and Lee Hyla. He composes and arranges music for an eclectic variety of ensembles ranging from small ensembles to big bands, wind ensembles to string quartets. Recent commissions include arrangements for trumpeter Ingrid Jensen with the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific, new music for pianist Frank Kimbrough with the University of Minnesota’s Jazz Ensemble, and a new piece for Bob Brookmeyer’s 80th birthday concert at the Eastman School of Music. Ryan was also awarded the First Music commission from the New York Youth Symphony’s Jazz Band Classic, and conducted its premiere at the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2009.

Ryan is also an accomplished and in-demand copyist. He is Maria Schneider’s primary copyist and also copies for Jim Hall, Geoffrey Keezer, Bob Brookmeyer, Luciana Souza, and Miles Evans and the Gil Evans Estate, among others. His work has been published in Rutgers University’s Annual Review of Jazz Studies and Chamber Music America’s Chamber Music magazine.

As a producer, Ryan has already distinguished himself as a valuable resource in the studio. In 2004, he served as production assistant for Maria Schneider’s record, Concert in the Garden, which won a Grammy award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble. He co-produced Schneider’s next recording in 2007, Sky Blue, which has received unanimous praise, including the honor of “Jazz Album of the Year” from the VILLAGE VOICE Critics Poll, a Choc Award in France, and was one of only two albums to receive a five-star review from DOWNBEAT in 2007. It was also nominated for two Grammy Awards, and won the category of “Best Instrumental Composition” (Cerulean Skies). Most recently, Ryan traveled to Hamburg, Germany to produce a recording with Bob Brookmeyer and the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) Big Band, recording both new and old works from Bob’s catalog.

Currently, Ryan is embarking on an extensive project, in cooperation with the Evans family, to unearth and bring to light some of the lesser known music of Gil Evans. Throughout this process, he has discovered more than forty works of Evans’ that were never before recorded or released. In celebration of the upcoming centennial of Evans’ birth, Ryan will produce a record of the very best of these previously unheard works, to be released May 13, 2012 (Evans’ 100th birthday) through ArtistShare®.

Spenser Liszt profiled in Denton newspaper

03/03/2014 - 4:39pm

Read the profile of Spenser Liszt by Lucinda Breeding in the Denton Record-Chronicle.

Remembering Paul Guerrero

03/08/2014 - 10:13am

As we work on our scholarship decisions for next year, we're preparing to recognize the important people for whom Jazz Studies scholarships are named. Among them is Paul Guerrero, Jr. (1931-1989), who played in the One O'Clock Lab Band in the early 1960s and had a distinguished career as a drummer, bandleader, and educator. His achievements were recognized in 1989 with a congressional proclamation. Alumnus Victor Rendón wrote about Paul Guerrero for Modern Drummer, as noted by the North Texan.

The Allen Jazz Invitational on March 22, 2014

03/10/2014 - 8:01pm

JBGL CAPITAL, LP PRESENTS...
ALLEN JAZZ INVITATIONAL

The Allen Jazz Invitational will be Saturday, March 22, 2014, headlined by the One O’Clock concert at 7:00 pm in the state of the art, Allen Performing Arts Center located at 300 Rivercrest Blvd on the campus of the Allen High School.

For the past two years, the Allen Performing Arts Center, partnering with the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, has brought in AMAZING artists, Denis DiBlasio, Frank Greene, Stockton Helbing, and Wayne Bergeron, who all played in Maynard Ferguson’s band. These concerts were inspired by the music of Maynard Ferguson and his legacy to jazz. We are excited to announce that ALL FOUR artists will be here for this year’s inaugural event as we take jazz to the next level!

This year we are expanding by introducing the first Allen Jazz Invitational on March 22, 2014. Our goal is to create a positive, exciting,educational experience for participating jazz ensembles, the audience and guest artists. This environment will be an opportunity to explore jazz in a comfortable setting that is inviting for jazz enthusiasts of all ages! The “hottest “jazz bands in the state have accepted our invitation for this high energy unprecedented event! Featured invitational bands are Plano Senior High, Wylie High School, Newman Smith High School, McKinney North High School, Southlake Carroll High School, Brazoswood High School and Allen High School.

This day will include:

 

  • Participating high school performances with guest artist’s critique beginning at 9:30 am
  • Guest artists“hands on” clinics with all high school ensembles immediately after each performance
  • Master classes with guest artists (sax, trumpet, bones, rhythm section) at 3:00 pm
  • Artist panel discussion including open forum Q & A for students immediately after masterclasses
  • “Outstanding Performance” certificates recognizing exemplary student performance at final concert
  • Sherman Jazz Museum exhibit
  • Jazz merchandise, Allen Jazz Invitational t-shirts, guest artist and One O’Clock recordings and merchandise
  • The UNT One O’Clock Lab Band in concert with featured artists at 7:00 pm

 

Purchase of a concert ticket will be your pass for access to all events throughout the day. Ticket prices range from $50.00 to$10.00. BUY TICKETS: allenisd.org/pac


Click image for larger version. Full-size poster in PDF.

The Allen Jazz Invitational on March 22, 2014

03/10/2014 - 8:07pm

Dan Haerle, Shelley Carrol receive D’JAM 2014 Jazz Legend Awards

03/20/2014 - 4:49pm

D'JAM stands for Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month, a collaborative effort of organizations that support jazz, including the Sammons Center for the Arts and UNT. In conjunction with the national jazz appreciation month sponsored by the Smithsonian, D'JAM highlights jazz activities in April in this area as a way to raise the profile of the jazz activities that happen year-round.

On Saturday, March 15, 2014, UNT Professor Emeritus Dan Haerle received a D'JAM Jazz Legend Award for Jazz Educator, and alumnus Shelley Carrol received the award for Jazz Artist. The Jessica Curran Quartet also performed. More information about the event is available at KERA's Art & Seek blog. These photos are by Jill Haerle.

Click on the photo for a larger version.


Dan Haerle


Dan Haerle, Bart Marantz of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts


Master of ceremonies Jack Bishop, pianist Arlington Jones, Shelley Carrol


Shelley Carrol, Dan Haerle, Arlington Jones


Tim Moore, Lucas Reader, Jessica Curran, Joe James


Lucas Reader, Jessica Curran, Joe James

Stefan Karlsson with Eddie Gomez 2014 Midwest Tour

03/24/2014 - 12:49pm

Friday April 4 at 9:30 pm (2 shows): Eddie Gomez Trio at the Jazz Estate, Milwaukee, WI
website: www.jazzestate.com
2423 N Murray Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 964-9923

Saturday April 5 at noon: 7th Woody Herman Educational Workshop, UW-Milwaukee,
12-2 pm (Trio Master Class & Rhythm Section Clinic),

Saturday April 5 at 8:00 pm (2 Shows): Eddie Gomez Trio at The Brink Lounge, Madison, WI
website: www.thebrinklounge.com

Sunday April 6 at 7:00 pm: Eddie Gomez Trio at UW-Stevens Point, WI
Master Class TBA, concert at 7:00 pm (Michelsen Concert Hall)

Monday April 7 at 8:00 pm (2 shows): Eddie Gomez Trio at the Jazz Showcase,
Chicago, IL
website: www.jazzshowcase.com
806 S. Plymouth Ct.
CHICAGO, IL 60605

Tuesday & Wednesday April 8 & 9 (8 pm, 2 shows): Eddie Gomez Trio at Studio 222, Fargo, ND
Master Class on Wednesday April 9 TBA,

222 N Broadway Dr, Fargo, ND 58102
(952) 992-0785

Learn about the UNT Vocal Jazz Summer Workshop

03/24/2014 - 1:05pm

 

You can find this video, a list of frequently-asked questions, testimonials, and more on the Vocal Jazz Workshop page and on the Facebook page for the workshop.

 

News from alumnus Brad Williams

03/24/2014 - 1:13pm

Guitarist Brad Williams, a 2003 Magna Cum Laude Jazz Studies bachelor's graduate, recently sent news of his recent projects.

He played, wrote, and co-produced a Blue Note record for artist José James to be released June 10. He'll also be touring internationally with José for the next year or so. Here is Blue Note's press release for the record.

Additionally, he produced an album for UNT alumnus Sylvester Onyejiaka entitled Akuma that received a four-star review in the April 2014 DownBeat magazine. It was released on Truth Revolution Records, and includes UNT Alumni Hajime Yoshida, Jay Jennings, Daniel Foose, Ross Pederson, and on a couple of tracks Brad on acoustic guitar. It also includes trumpeter Philip Lassiter, keyboardist Cory Henry, percussionist Keita Ogawa, flautist John Leadbetter, and violinist Zach Brock. It can be previewed and purchased here: https://trrstore.bandcamp.com/album/akuma

Brad has an LP of his own to be released Summer 2014. It's an organ trio record featuring Tyshawn Sorey and Pat Bianchi, and is an all analog recording start to finish. It will be a vinyl release, and was recorded and mixed on the finest analog tape-- no computers. The lacquer for the LP will be cut straight from the analog source. We'll share news of it here when it's released.

Jimin Lee and Ronan Delisle release CD Somewhere Safe

03/24/2014 - 1:46pm

Jimin Lee and Ronan Delisle have recently finished a record, "Somewhere Safe". You can hear it on bandcamp. It's available for digital download as well as in physical form.

Stuart Mack wins second place in Yamaha Jazz Division at National Trumpet Competition

03/25/2014 - 10:46am

Congratulations to Stuart Mack, who placed second in the Yamaha Jazz Division at the recent National Trumpet Competition.

Thanks to Stuart for representing UNT so well. Congratulations to his faculty mentors as well.

Alex Hahn named finalist in NASA jazz competition

03/25/2014 - 10:53am

Congratulations to Alex Hahn and Prof. Brad Leali and Alex's other faculty mentors. Alex was a finalist in the jazz competition at the recent North American Saxophone Alliance conference.

Prof. Eric Nestler compiled this list of participants with UNT affiliations. In addition to Prof. Brad Leali, there are lots of jazz studies alumni among them:

The 2014 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference was held at the University of Illinois School of Music, March 20-23rd, 2014. The University of North Texas College of Music Saxophone Department was well represented. Below, is a list of over 40 names of the people from UNT, alums and current student/faculty, who attended and/or participated:

Barrette, Tony -- alum (and employ of Meridian Winds in MI) repaired saxophones

Bland, Cheyenne – current student who performed

Bradfield, Ann – alum (and professor of saxophone at Northern Iowa) performed

Cain, Joren – alum; performed and served on Search Committee for Editor

Campbell, Will – alum (and professor of saxophone at UNC Charlotte) performed and judged

Ramsey Castaneda - alum, participated in jazz competition

Chen, Po-Hsuan – current student in attendance

Chien, William – current student who performed with traditional Chinese instrument

Dahlke, Andrew – alum (and professor of saxophone at University of Northern Colorado) performed

Dees, David – alum (and professor of saxophone at Texas Tech University) performed and judged

Dewhirst, Greg – alum (and professor of music at TCCC) performed a piece by Dr. Klein

Dewhirst, Kristan – current student performed a piece by Dr. Klein

Eby, Chad – alum (and professor of saxophone at UNCG) performed

Eckert, Joe – alum (and professor of saxophone at TCU) performed

Espinosa, Carols – alum; performed

Feng, Wenbo – current student who performed an original composition

Griggs, Joyce – UNT alum; assistant director of the school of music

Hahn, Alex – current student who was a finalist in the Jazz Competition

Hutchins, Kyle – alum who performed; student at Univ. of MN

Ishii, Tim – alum (and director of Jazz Studies at UTA) was a judge

Kim, Julie – alum; performed

Klein, Joesph – professor of music; wrote a piece that was premiered by Greg and Kristan Dewhirst

Koffman, Carrie – alum (and professor of saxophone at the Hartt School) who organized the classical competitions

Lamar, Jackie – alum (and professor of saxophone at University of Central Arkansas) performed

Leali, Brad – professor of music; performed with the UI Jazz Ensemble; participated in the NASA Executive Committee Meetings as Director of Jazz Studies

Little, JD – alum; performed

Mandel, Nathan – UNT alum; assistant to the host; employed by UI

McConnell, Michael – current student who performed

McNeil, Chip – conductor of the UI Jazz Ensemble

Myer, Tom – alum (and professor of saxophone at University of Colorado boulder) performed

Nabb, David – alum who performed the one handed toggle saxophone (professor of Music at University of Nebraska-Kearney)

Nestler, Eric – professor of music; presented a lecture-recital of Berio’s Sequenza IXb (including a complete performance)

Primavera, Brittany – alum who performed

Pulley, Emily – alum; performed Reid, Sam – alum; performed

Richards, Alex – current student who performed

Richtmeyer, Debra – former professor of music at UNT and current saxophone professor at UI; she hosted the event

Roberts, John – alum (and professor of percussion at Newberry College) performed

Romain, James – alum (and professor of saxophone at Drake University) performed

Sawyer, Matt – alum; performed

Shner, Idit – alum (and professor of saxphone at University of Oregon) performed and was a judge

Stonerock, Andrew – alum; performed

Tian, Chaofu – current student in attendance

Yuxin, Mei – current student who performed pipa with Chien

Colby Norton excels at Mean Green Triathlon

03/27/2014 - 7:48pm


Colby Norton, third year DMA student in trombone, plays bass trombone in the One O'Clock Lab Band. After last Saturday's concert in Allen, Colby headed home to get some rest. He was up before dawn on Sunday to compete in the Mean Green Triathlon in Denton. It was a sprint distance event: 400 yard swim, 20K bike, 5K run. Colby does much longer triathlons. This is a warm-up to get his season started. He finished 38th overall out of 380 participants. He came in 60th in the swim, 34th on the bike, and 24th in the run. After that, he went to Dallas to play with the One O'Clock Lab Band again.

Sergio Pamies, Lupe Barrera accepted to Paquito D'Rivera Carnegie Hall Workshop

03/28/2014 - 2:44pm

Congratulations to pianist and doctoral student Sergio Pamies and percussionist and undergraduate student José "Lupe" Barrera for being accepted to the Paquito D'Rivera: Latin Jazz Traditions workshop to be held at Carnegie Hall on May 11-16, 2014. Congratulations to their faculty mentors, too.

Dan O'Brien's arrangement performed at Carnegie Hall

03/31/2014 - 12:12pm

Current jazz composition master's student Dan O'Brien's arrangement of Ellington's "Come Sunday" was performed on March 30, 2014 at Carnegie Hall as part of the Arranging Ellington project.

William Flynn hired at Wichita State University

04/04/2014 - 11:29am


Congratulations to William Flynn, a May 2012 graduate of our master's program in Jazz Studies, for being hired as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Jazz Guitar at Wichita State University. Congratulations to his faculty mentors, too.

Jazz Singers on tour in California

04/05/2014 - 10:23am

UNT Jazz Singers are on tour to California this weekend. They'll perform at four schools, exchange music with seven vocal groups at those schools, do a house concert, and end with a clinic and performance at the Oceanside Jazz Festival on Saturday night.

They'll be collaborating with Valencia High School, Downey High School, Fullerton College, Cypress College, College of the Canyons, Santa Monica College, and Cal State-Fullerton. The house concert is in the Los Angeles area. The performance at the Oceanside Jazz Festival (Oceanside, CA, near San Diego) is the final event on Saturday night.

Alumni in the news

04/05/2014 - 10:45am

In the April 2014 issue of DownBeat, you'll find:

 

  • A review of Sylvester Onyejiaka's new release, Akuma, on truthrevolutionrecords. Also heard on this CD are Ross Pederson, Daniel Foose, Hajime Yoshida, Jay Jennings, Brad Williams (who also produced it), and John Leadbetter, plus liner notes by Bob Belden. (I bought the FLAC download. Listening now.--J.M.)
  • Craig Handy pictured in an ad for Ted Klum mouthpieces.
  • An article on lead trumpet playing by Mike Williams, who is also featured in an ad for P. Mauriat trumpets.
  • An ad for Carolina Calvache's new CD, Sotareño, on Sunnyside Records.

 

In the March 2014 issue of DownBeat you'll find:

 

  • A feature article on Craig Handy.
  • A photo of Craig Handy in an ad for Tenor Madness saxophones.
  • Listings and an ad for our summer workshops

 

In the April 2014 issue of JazzTimes, you'll find:

 

  • A review of Craig Handy's new CD, Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith
  • Listings and an ad for our summer workshops

 

Did I miss anything?

Carolina Calvache releases CD "Sotareño"

04/05/2014 - 2:48pm


Pianist and composer Carolina Calvache, a December 2010 UNT jazz studies master's graduate, has released the CD "Sotareño" on Sunnyside Records. She is profiled on the WBGO site. You can listen to samples and buy the CD on the Sunnyside site. Along with Carolina on piano the CD features Antonio Sanchez - drums, Michael Rodriguez - trumpet, Jaleel Shaw - saxophone, Hans Glawischnig - bass, Ludwig Afonso - drums.

Sylvester Onyejiaka releases CD "Akuma"

04/05/2014 - 5:38pm


Saxophonist and composer Sylvester Onyejiaka, a December 2008 bachelor's in Jazz Studies graduate, has released the CD Akuma on the truthrevolutionrecords label. Also heard on this CD are alumni Ross Pederson, Daniel Foose, Hajime Yoshida, Jay Jennings, Brad Williams (who also produced it), and John Leadbetter, plus liner notes by Bob Belden.

Pavel Wlosok releases CD "Czechmate"

04/11/2014 - 2:50pm

 

Pianist and alumnus Pavel Wlosok has released the CD Czechmate featuring Joel Frahm on tenor and soprano saxophones and UNT alumni Steve Haines on bass and Bill Campbell on drums.

News from Chad Willis

04/11/2014 - 3:08pm

Trumpeter Chad Willis, who will soon complete his bachelor's in Jazz Studies, is pictured at left playing with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band at a performance at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo on March 7th. Chad traveled with the band to Japan on April 9. They will play two shows a night at the Blue Note in Tokyo on April 11, 12, 13 and 14. The week before, Chad ran front-of-house sound for the UNT Jazz Singers for their California tour that ended at the 8th Annual Oceanside Jazz Festival at Mira Costa College. Chad will start his master's at the University of Southern California in the fall of 2014, working with Bob Mintzer in his jazz ensemble. Before starting at USC, he'll be out on the road with Lyle Lovett again from July 16 to September 12.

Tigran Hamasyan Trio at UNT

04/13/2014 - 10:49am

Tigran Hamasyan- piano
Sam Minaie - Bass
Arthur Hnatek - Drums

Schedule:
April 16, 5:00-6:30PM in Room 258 -- Clinic with Tigran ($10 cash at the door)
April 17, 4:00-5:00PM in Kenton Hall-- Clinic with Tigrans's trio (free admission)
April 17, 8:30PM in COM Recital Hall-- Trio Concert (Free for jazz studies majors. $10 General Admission at the door)

Ally Hany and Aaron Hedenstrom recognized at Honors Day 2014

04/14/2014 - 9:37pm


Photo by Alyssa Hedenstrom. Click for larger version.

At Honors Day on April 4, 2014, Ally Hany was recognized as Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Jazz Studies and Aaron Hedenstrom was recognized as Outstanding Graduate Student in Jazz Studies. This recognition is the result of nominations and voting by the jazz studies faculty. Thanks to Alyssa Hedenstrom for the outstanding photo.

April is Jazz Appreciation Month in Denton

04/16/2014 - 12:40pm


click for larger image

Denton mayor Mark Burroughs issued this proclamation in support of Jazz Appreciation Month at the April 15, 2014 city council meeting.

We used the year 1946 in this case because the jazz studies major, then called "Dance Band", was listed in the fall 1946 academic catalog. The band was directed by graduate student Charles Meeks that semester. We also recognize the merit of using 1947 as the starting year because the first director, Gene Hall, started his duties in spring 1947.

Jonny Beckett releases CD "Son of a Mother"

04/18/2014 - 2:17pm


Saxophonist and alumnus Jonny Beckett has released the CD Son of a Mother on Armored Records. Heard along with Jonny are Terry Hankins: guitar; James Driscoll: bass, and Stockton Helbing: drums.

The Watch and Wait release EP "Possibilities"

04/18/2014 - 2:20pm


Brooklyn based indie-pop-soul band the Watch and Wait released Possibilities EP this week.
http://thewatchandwait.bandcamp.com/
http://soundcloud.com/thewatchandwait/sets/possibilities-ep

UNT alumni involved in the recording of the EP include:
John Guari - Songs, Keyboards, Vocals
Melissa McMillan - Vocals
Paul Orbell - Guitars
Myles Turney - Engineering and mixing

Pamies, Ward, and Heaverin represent UNT in Peru

04/18/2014 - 4:35pm

Current DMA student Sergio Pamies (piano) and recent graduates Brian Ward (bass) and Justin Heaverin (drums) will be in Peru from April 21-25 to play concerts with UNT alumna Mónica Gastelumendi in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa sponsored by the Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano.

Craig Handy interviewed by Tavis Smiley about his new CD

04/22/2014 - 12:47pm

Saxophonist and former UNT student Craig Handywas interviewed by Tavis Smiley about his new CD, "Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith." Audio of interview. Page for the CD at Okeh Records.

Denton Arts & Jazz Festival 2014

04/24/2014 - 9:19am


José Pérez playing with Latin Jazz Lab in 2006

Join us this weekend at the UNT Showcase Stage at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival for three days of exciting performances by our small and large ensembles.

Jay Saunders to direct the One O'Clock, Rodney Booth the Two O'Clock in 2014-2015

04/24/2014 - 5:52pm

Jay Saunders, currently the director of the Two O'Clock Lab Band, will serve as interim director of the One O'Clock Lab Band for the 2014-2015 academic year. Rodney Booth, currently the director of the Jazz Repertory Ensemble, will serve as interim director of the Two O'Clock Lab Band for the 2014-2015 academic year. These changes are a result of the acceptance by Steve Wiest, currently the director of the One O'Clock Lab Band, of a faculty position at The Lamont School of Music at The University of Denver.

Jazz students, faculty quoted in NT Daily story on Denton Arts & Jazz Festival

04/29/2014 - 4:34pm

One O’Clock Lab Band welcomes Jay Saunders as interim director

04/29/2014 - 4:42pm


DENTON, Texas (UNT) – The six-time Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band will welcome Jay Saunders as interim director in the 2014-15 season.

Saunders, a College of Music alumnus and current director of the Two O’Clock Lab Band, will take the helm from Steve Wiest, who has accepted a faculty position at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver.

As an undergraduate, Saunders was a member of the One O’Clock Lab Band and played two tours with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. After graduation, he played lead trumpet in the Studio Band of the U.S. Army Field Band and rejoined Kenton’s orchestra after he was discharged. He subsequently returned to UNT for his master of music education degree.

His professional career has included performances with major artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bob Hope, Ray Charles, and The Supremes. Since the 1980s, Saunders has been a staple of the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene, as a performer with the Dallas Summer Musicals, Casa Mañana Musical Theater and pops concerts of the symphonies of Dallas and Fort Worth. His extensive recording career includes 11 albums with Stan Kenton as well as albums with Doc Severinsen and Ornette Coleman.

Saunders has served on the faculty of the College of Music’s Division of Jazz Studies for 21 years, directing both the Three O’Clock and Two O’Clock lab bands. During his time as Two O’Clock director, the lab band won three DownBeat Student Music Awards.

“Jay has been a vital part of the jazz studies division for many years, and we are delighted that he has postponed his plans for retirement by one year to direct the One O’Clock Lab Band,” said John Murphy, chair of the Division of Jazz Studies.

Wiest, an alumnus of the College of Music, was named director of the One O’Clock in 2009 after serving a year as interim director. In his first year as director, the band was nominated for two Grammy awards: Best Large Jazz Ensemble for Lab 2009 and Best Instrumental Composition for Wiest’s composition “Ice-Nine.” He also worked to bring the Maynard Ferguson library to UNT, established an online presence and mobile app for the One O’Clock, and led the band in performances throughout the U.S. and in Ireland, England, and Thailand.

“Steve accomplished a great deal in his time here and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Murphy. “We are confident that under Jay’s leadership, the One O’Clock will continue to maintain its reputation as one of the best large jazz ensembles in the world.”

Taking over the reins for the Two O’Clock Lab Band will be interim director Rodney Booth. Booth, currently the director of the UNT Jazz Repertory Ensemble, is a graduate of the College of Music’s jazz studies program and a former One O’Clock Lab Band member. He traveled across North and South America and Europe with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd Big Band, and has performed and recorded with many major recording artists, such as Lou Rawls, Wayne Newton, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole and Al Green. Booth is also active in studio and commercial recordings, and with his big band.

About the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band

The six-time Grammy-nominated UNT One O'Clock Lab Band – the premiere ensemble of UNT's Jazz Studies program in the College of Music – has performed and toured throughout the world, including Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand and The Netherlands. UNT offered the nation's first bachelor's degree program in jazz studies in the 1946-47, and the university's jazz studies program is consistently rated among the nation's best.

UNT Jazz Studies students recognized in 2014 DownBeat Student Music Awards

05/01/2014 - 11:04am

Congratulations to the UNT Jazz Studies students who are recognized in the 2014 DownBeat Student Music Awards and their faculty mentors!

Jazz Soloist
Graduate College Winner
Aaron Hedenstrom, Saxophone; Brad Leali, mentor

Large Jazz Ensemble
Graduate College Winner
Two O’Clock Lab Band; Jay Saunders, director
Based on their work on the CD Kind of Two

Vocal Jazz Soloist
Graduate College Winner
Michelle Alonso; Jennifer Barnes, mentor

Vocal Jazz Soloist
Graduate College Outstanding Performance
Mihwa Kim; Rosana Eckert, mentor

Small Vocal Jazz Group
Graduate College Outstanding Performance
Mihwa Kim Band; Rosana Eckert, mentor

Blues Pop Rock Group
Undergraduate College Winner
The Alex Hahn Crossing; Brad Leali, mentor

Blues Pop Rock Group
Graduate College Outstanding Performance
Aaron Hedenstrom Organ Quartet; Richard DeRosa, mentor

Latin Group
Graduate College Winner
Juan Chaves Big Band
Richard DeRosa, mentor

Original Composition – Large Ensemble
Graduate College Winner
Keith Karns, “The Square”; Mike Steinel, mentor
Performed by The One O'Clock Lab Band on Lab 2013

Jazz Arrangement
Graduate College Outstanding Performance
Drew Zaremba, “As Time Goes By”
Richard DeRosa, mentor
Performed by The One O'Clock Lab Band on Lab 2013

Erskine Hawkins on tour with Eminem

05/01/2014 - 5:19pm


Pianist and Jazz Studies bachelor's graduate (May 2010) Erskine Hawkins has played three tours with Eminem, two in Europe and one last February in Australia and South Africa. He'll tour the U.S. with Eminem and Rihanna this summer.

Erskine put a lot of time and effort into his classical piano studies while earning his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degree at UNT. It's paying off. "[It's] the Bach three-part fugues that I studied in school that help me the most on this gig," Erskine says.

Erskine got the job after he "met [Eminem's] musical director Adam Blackstone, who MDs for EVERYONE from Justin Timberlake through Jay Z, at NAMM a few years ago. At first he would just call me to transcribe songs and chart them to make it easier for his bands to learn material. After doing that for a few months, he asked me to do a string arrangement for Nikki Minaj's performance on the BET Awards. After that, he asked me if my hip hop chops are pretty good. I've been doing shows with Eminem now for almost a year. It's really a blessing."


He continues: "Eminem's music is EXTREMELY classically based and is very piano-driven. Since it's hip hop, all of the parts are very specific and there is not a lot (really none in my case) of room for improvisation. Most times, there are two or three specific piano parts happening at the same time on each song and I'm responsible for playing all of them. Definitely something I would not be able to do if I hadn't spent some real time diving into Bach's two and three-part fugues. All of that is on the 'playing the songs' side. As far as what we create (transitions, intros, endings), I pull from every classical piece I've ever learned and try my best to remember all of the rules and cadences. We try to keep his music as dark and minor as possible."

"I'm always keeping up with what's happening at the school," Erskine said, "and love the direction the department is going." We're always glad to hear from alumni and always interested to hear how they're applying what they've learned in our program.
Thanks to current student Alex Browne for telling me about this in MUJS 4470 class, which prompted me to contact Erskine and ask him about it.
--John Murphy

Better sound in Kenton Hall

05/13/2014 - 2:42pm


Kenton Hall without sound panels. Click for larger image.

If recitals and rehearsals in Kenton Hall are sounding better lately, you can thank Craig Marshall. He managed the project of installing sound-absorbing panels on the walls of the hall that previously lacked an acoustical treatment. Jon Nelson, Associate Dean for Facilities, helped with funding. The goal was to reduce the slap echo between the parallel walls made of painted cinder block. This recording Craig made of baritone saxophonist Christian Ortiz shows what that sounded like: Kenton Hall before

The echo is visible in the oscillogram:


click for larger image


Kenton Hall with sound panels. Click for larger image.

After the panels were installed, the sound was much improved. Here's Christian Ortiz again: Kenton Hall after

The reduction in unwanted echo is visible in the oscillogram:


click for larger image

 

Sarah Roberts hired at University of Texas at Tyler

05/21/2014 - 4:00pm


Sarah Roberts teaching at East China Normal University in Shanghai on a UNT study abroad in 2010.

Congratulations to recent graduate Sarah Roberts, who has been hired as professor of saxophone and jazz studies at the University of Texas at Tyler. She will be teaching saxophone and directing the jazz band and jazz combo.

Kevin Brunkhorst named Music Dept. Chair at St. Francis Xavier University in Canada

05/28/2014 - 11:45am


Kevin Brunkhorst during the recording of The Quiltmaster

Kevin Brunkhorst has been named chair of the Music Department at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. When it was founded in 1977, the jazz studies program at St. Francis Xavier was Canada's "first dedicated Jazz Studies degree program." Kevin earned bachelor's and master's degrees from UNT, was a member of the One O' Clock Lab Band, and can be heard on Lab 2003, Lab 2004, Live from Thailand (all by the One O' Clock) and The Quiltmaster by the L5 Electric Guitar Ensemble.

UNT jazz studies master's graduate Josh Hanlon adds:

A very special program, Kevin has become a big reason for that. There has been a strong connection of people moving from UNT as teachers to STFX. Fred Hamilton taught there earlier in his career, as did Paul Mazzio, Robbie Smith, and currently Paul Tynan, Unsurprisingly, there have been a number of undergrads from X who when on to pursue grad studies at UNT, including Scott Marshall, Steve Haines, Erin Costelo (studied comp @ UNT),Tim Dunn, Ryan Davidson (who co-led a nifty quartet album with Kevin called Border Crossing), Jared Farney, Scott Neary, Carolyn HM, and likely others I didn't name, and hopefully many more to come. My brother Jake and I both grew up in Antigonish, and got degrees from both institutions, now he teaches with Kevin, and I live in Denton, having taught at each school.

One O'Clock Lab Band plays last concert with director Steve Wiest at Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens

05/29/2014 - 9:33am

From the One O'Clock Lab Band site:
As part of the Fort Worth Symphony's "Concert in the Garden" series, The One O'Clock will perform their final concert of the year on June 15, 2014 starting at 8:15 p.m. Coincidentally, this will be Director Steve Wiest's final concert with the band as well. A beautiful venue and fireworks! Get your tickets now, this will be BIG fun!
Buy tickets

Alumni news from Hubert Waldner

05/29/2014 - 3:06pm

Alumnus Hubert Waldner sent this note and some photos:

I studied at NTSU (now UNT) between 1981 and 1982 and graduated in August 1982 with my Master's degree in Music Ed.
I found some old posters and also the program that I had written back then for my premiere concert with the newly founded Jazz String Ensemble. This Jazz String Ensemble was founded in 1982 by me and we performed one concert in Kenton Hall. I will submit one or two of the old memorable pictures taken in 1982 at this concert.

Hubert Waldner

One pic shows me talking to the trumpet legend Donald Byrd (while rehearsing one of my compositions) In the back you can see the sax player (now also with the Rolling Stones) Tim Ries.

UNT Jazz in Peru

05/29/2014 - 3:27pm

Sergio Pamies, Brian Ward, and Justin Heaverin traveled to Peru to play concerts with alumna Monica Gastelumendi in April 2014

Monica writes:

I just wanted to let you know that the band had a wonderful time in Peru, that we played three wonderful concerts in Lima, Arequipa and Cusco, and that the musicianship level of Sergio, Brian and Justin was superb in every concert. Despite a very tight agenda they were always ready to play and showed maturity in their playing as well as professionalism that was recognized everywhere we went. UNT was very well represented on this tour! We even had the opportunity to give a master class at a music school in Cusco. It went great and many students are now in touch with the band through Facebook and email.

I am sending you some pictures that shows a bit of our trip.

Monica Gastelumendi
Directora
CORO ARPEGIO
T. (511) 955977406
 

Click for larger image


Photo credit: Julio Del Carpio Fotografía

Hanlon, Hurn, Smith, and Willis play with Texas Tenors

06/12/2014 - 10:43am


(L to R) Jacob Smith, Ryan Hurn, Josh Hanlon, Chad Willis

Ryan Hurn (drums) came to Ft. Worth last weekend with the Texas Tenors and the Ft. Worth Symphony at the Ft. Worth Botanic Gardens for the Concert in the Garden series. Jacob Smith (bass) and Josh Hanlon (piano) played with the Texas Tenors and Chad Willis (trumpet) played with the symphony that night. All are UNT alumni.

Progger's new CD and tour

06/13/2014 - 10:24am

News from Progger, the Austin-based band started by alumni Brian Donohoe and Matt Muehling:

In support of their heavily-anticipated second album's release, Progger will be embarking on a summer 2014 tour of the eastern United States that will take them from their native Austin, Texas all the way to New York City. Progger was formed in Austin in 2011 by several of the most in-demand young touring and recording musicians on the verdant Texas scene. Drawing inspiration from such masters as D'Angelo, Herbie Hancock, and George Clinton, Progger grew together through their passion for soul, jazz, funk, gospel, and rock music, as well as a desire to create a new, exciting, authentic American sound.

After contributing countless performances, compositions, and arrangements to groups like Snarky Puppy, Malford Milligan, Col. Bruce Hampton, and more, Progger's members started playing regularly in June of 2011, and soon developed strong followings in Austin and Dallas. Their debut album, "Beatmaker," was released in February 2013 to local critical acclaim, and a slew of interstate performances with Ropeadope recording artists The Funky Knuckles brought Progger's sounds to new thirsty audiences. Progger's second studio release, "Populace," was released on May 13, 2014.

Progger and the Funky Knuckles will be performing at the Free Man in Dallas, TX on July 28, 2014. Performances start at 10:00pm. For more information, visit:

http://proggermusic.com
http://www.thefunkyknuckles.com
http://www.freemandallas.com

UNT Jazz Newsletter

06/19/2014 - 4:28pm

We have a new email newsletter that you're invited to subscribe to. It's intended for anybody and everybody who is interested in the UNT jazz studies program, especially alumni and people who attend our events and listen to our recordings. If you're one of the 2,400 people who have Liked our Facebook page, for example, you might want to subscribe to this list because you'll probably see only a small percentage of the items we post on Facebook in your newsfeed. The list will only be used for UNT Jazz Studies-related topics. We won't sell the subscriber list to marketers and we won't track you.

Use this form to subscribe.

Alumni news from Keith Javors

06/27/2014 - 1:48pm

Keith Javors sent two press releases about news from his label, Inarhyme Records:

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Inarhyme Records, LLC is pleased to announce the performance and recording rights acquisition of the NDR Bigband - Hamburg Radio Jazz Orchestra’s Tall Tales of Jasper County; The Double Doubles Suite, the latest full-length concept work by the inimitable U.S. composer Dr. Dale Wilson.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – At a time of great political and social uncertainty, the dynamic post-cold war partnership of the Russian Federation's Oleg Kireyev (saxophone) and America's Keith Javors (piano) has inspired jazz audiences around the globe. A follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut record Rhyme and Reason, the co-leaders welcomed jazz trumpet luminary Tom Harrell and the heralded bass/drums combination of Ben Williams (Pat Metheny) and E.J. Strickland (Ravi Coltrane) to the studio in late October 2013 for their powerful upcoming release, entitled The Meeting, available next Winter. The new record, which bridges the influences of two continents, will feature new original compositions by Kireyev and Javors, interspersed with standard material.

New musical for young voices by Rosana Eckert and Sharon Burch

07/03/2014 - 10:38am


UNT vocal jazz faculty Rosana Eckert has teamed up with popular children's author and educator Sharon Burch to create Freddie the Frog and the Jungle Jazz, a musical for young voices. Published by Hal Leonard, the musical was written for children ages 7-11 and includes five original songs, 26 speaking parts, and a "beginner band student" performance option to feature some young jazz players. The Performance/Accompaniment CD features New Orleans-style jazz accompaniment tracks by The N'Awlins Gumbo Kings, which includes UNT trombone faculty Tony Baker, drum faculty Mike Drake, and vocal jazz faculty Brian Piper (on piano). For more information, visit HalLeonard.com.

Faculty concerts at the Jazz Combo Workshop

07/03/2014 - 12:02pm

UNT Jazz Combo Summer Workshop Evening Concerts
Voertman Hall, UNT College of Music

The public is invited to this series of faculty concerts that are part of the UNT Jazz Combo Summer Workshops. Admission is free. Tax-deductible contributions in support of the Jazz Combo Summer Workshop are invited. Voertman Hall is located within the College of Music building at 415 Ave. C in Denton. Recommended parking lot: between music practice buildings and Bain Hall. For more information, call (940) 565-3743.

Performer lineups are subject to change.

Monday, July 14
7:00 p.m.
Stefan Karlsson, piano
Ed Soph, drums
Lynn Seaton, bass
Brad Leali, saxophone
Rod Booth, trumpet

7:45 p.m.
Fred Hamilton, guitar
Mike Drake, drums
Jeffry Eckels, bass
Steve Jones, saxophone
Tony Baker, trombone

Tuesday, July 15
7:00 p.m.
Rich McLure, guitar
José Aponte, drums
Jeffry Eckels, bass
John Murphy, saxophone
Tony Baker, trombone
Will Campbell, saxophone

7:45 p.m.
Dan Haerle, piano
Mike Drake, drums
Lynn Seaton, bass
Jim Riggs, saxophone
Rod Booth, trumpet

Wednesday, July 16
7:00 p.m.
Dan Haerle, piano
Lynn Seaton, bass
José Aponte, drums
Chris McGuire, saxophone
Steve Jones, saxophone

7:45 p.m.
Stefan Karlsson, piano
Fred Hamilton, guitar
Ed Soph, drums
Jeffry Eckels, bass
Mike Steinel, trumpet
John Murphy, saxophone

Thursday, July 17
7:00 p.m.
Fred Hamilton, guitar
Mike Drake, drums
Jeffry Eckels, bass
Will Campbell, saxophone
Mike Steinel, trumpet

7:45 p.m.
Stefan Karlsson, piano
Ed Soph, drums
Lynn Seaton, bass
Chris McGuire, saxophone
Jim Riggs, saxophone

Rich DeRosa releases CD That Music Always Round Me

07/03/2014 - 12:40pm

A new CD that Rich DeRosa has been working on intermittently for the past two years will finally be released this month. It is called That Music Always Round Me. Garry Dial and Dick Oatts are the composers of the project. They created music set to 15 poems by Walt Whitman. DeRosa was commissioned to create the arrangements for the various choirs that accompany their jazz group. During the first week in July, the WDR big band will record Rich DeRosa's arrangements of 10 compositions by legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter. Carter will also be recording with the band. The CD should be released by the WDR organization later in the year.

Lynn Seaton receives Fulbright

08/06/2014 - 8:36am

Lynn Seaton will spend the fall 2014 semester teaching in Latvia. See the UNT news story.

Hanlon, Kervin earn faculty positions

08/09/2014 - 10:31am

Congratulations to Josh Hanlon, a UNT jazz studies alumnus (M.M. '06) and former adjunct instructor of jazz piano at UNT, who will join the faculty of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music. He will teach music courses and help develop Tarleton's new music business focus. Originally from Canada, now a longtime Denton resident, Josh spent five years as country legend Ray Price's pianist and conductor.

Congratulations to recent UNT jazz studies master's graduate Sarah Kervin, who has been hired as part-time jazz voice faculty at Berklee College of Music.

Photos from the 2014 Jazz Combo Summer Workshop

08/11/2014 - 6:54pm

Our 2014 Jazz Combo Workshop was very well attended. More than 100 students spent the week rehearsing, jamming, and studying jazz theory, improvisation, and history--and hanging out in Maple Hall, eating in Bruce Hall cafeteria, and making friends.

Two Music: It Don't Mean A Thing, If It . . .

08/29/2014 - 3:03pm

Two Music: It Don't Mean A Thing, If It . . . , the new CD by the Two O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Jay Saunders, will be released on Sept. 10, 2014. Pre-orders can be made now in our online store, and will start shipping on the release date.

Lab 2014

08/29/2014 - 3:05pm

Lab 2014, the new CD by the One O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Steve Wiest, will be released on Sept. 17, 2014. Pre-orders can be made now in our online store, and will start shipping on the release date.

Brad Leali wins Creative Impact Award, Grant to fund recording

09/18/2014 - 5:07pm


Professor Brad Leali of the UNT Jazz Studies Faculty has received the Creative Impact Award as part of UNT's internal Research and Creativity Award recognition process. This award is in recognition of his many contributions to the promotion of jazz as a performer, recording artist, and educator. Although he enjoys an ongoing career of jazz performances with some of the top musicians alive and at the most renowned locales around the world, he remains enthusiastic and dedicated to training the next generation of jazz artists. The Creative Impact Award is one of the Office of Research and Economic Development's highest honors.

Professor Leali also won a Scholarly and Creative Activity grant. Both grants will be used to fund a live recording at the Dazzle Jazz Club in Denver, Colorado by the jazz orchestra that he collaborates on with Claus Raible.

Faculty searches now open for One O'Clock Lab Band Director, Jazz Piano, Lecturer

09/19/2014 - 3:20pm

Our faculty searches for the One O'Clock Lab Band Director and Lecturer positions are now open. If you have questions about the searches, contact John Murphy at john.murphy@unt.edu.
One O'Clock Lab Band Director (Assistant/Associate Professor): http://facultyjobs.unt.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=52047
Jazz Piano (Assistant/Associate Professor): http://facultyjobs.unt.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=52079
Lecturer: http://facultyjobs.unt.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=52046

Brad Leali honored at Salute to Faculty Excellence

09/30/2014 - 2:06pm

Brad Leali was honored as the recipient of a Creative Impact Award at the Salute to Faculty Excellence dinner on Sept. 26, 2014 at Apogee Stadium. He played with the student jazz group and played a solo version of "Star Dust."


Drew Zaremba, Brad Leali


Matt Young, Jack Helsley, Drew Zaremba, Gabe Evens. Marion Powers and Sergio Pamies played in another location at the event.


John Murphy, Warren Henry, Brad Leali

Mike Steinel profiled

10/01/2014 - 12:18pm

Mike Steinel is profiled in the Denton Record-Chronicle on the topic of helping in his wife's fight against breast cancer.

Jimin Lee 's new CD

10/17/2014 - 12:39pm


Jimin Lee, vocalist-composer and recent UNT graduate, released a debut album Lasting Fragments. She’s joined on the CD by Addison Frei, piano; Ronan Delisle, guitar; Young Heo, bass; Matt Young, drums; Nick Salvucci, tenor saxophone; and Gabby Byrd, Marion Powers, Jordan Coffing, voice. It’s available at CD Baby and Bandcamp.
http://jiminleemusic.com/
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jiminlee2
https://jiminlee.bandcamp.com/

Ron Smart donates Fender bass

10/17/2014 - 12:40pm


Ron Smart donated a 1973 Fender Precision bass to our program this week. He bought it in the summer of 1973 at Strait Music Co. in Austin. Thanks to Ron for his generosity and for driving to campus from his home in Granbury, TX to make the donation.

Armando Núñez Portillo directs the IV Festival de Jazz Chihuahua,

10/21/2014 - 11:36am

UNT jazz studies master's alumnus Armando Núñez Portillo is the artistic director of the IV Festival de Jazz Chihuahua, Mexico.
Armando writes, "This year’s edition has UNT representation again. Pianist Roberto Verástegui is performing with his own trio, sax player Gil Del Bosque is performing with the Pete Rodriguez Quintet, and I am too performing with my band."

Open images in a new window to embiggen.

 

Kenneth Prouty, Aaron West, Paul Engle, and Mark Breckenridge in Jazz Perspectives

10/29/2014 - 2:27pm

Three UNT alumni are involved in the current issue of Jazz Perspectives, a top academic journal in jazz studies. Kenneth Prouty (M.M. in Jazz Studies, 1997) has been named editor-in-chief. In volume 8, issue 1, the first issue produced under Prouty's editorship, Aaron West (M.M. in Jazz Studies, 1997; Ph.D. in Musicology, 2008) has a review of Peter Elsdon's book on Keith Jarrett's The Köln Concert, and Paul Engle (M.S. in Library Science, 1995, with coursework in Jazz Studies) serves as book review editor. Mark Breckenridge (Ph.D. in Musicology, 2012, with coursework in Jazz Studies), published an article in vol. 7, issue 2 based on his dissertation research on Willis Conover. Those with UNT IDs can read it via the library.

Terence Sun to start jazz program in China

10/29/2014 - 4:55pm


Kanging (Terence) Sun, current Jazz Studies master's student, has been hired as the Music Director of the Zhuhai Golden Jazz Cultural Industry Management Co., Ltd. in Zhuhai, China, a company that focuses on jazz education and jazz promotion in South China. His job is to design a jazz program. The company is opening a new program in Zhuhai called the Contemporary Music Institute (CMI), a non-degree school where students can study jazz music. While he is in the U.S., Terence is designing the curriculum, working on policy, scheduling concerts and workshops, and planning. His future job will include designing more jazz-related programs for the Golden Jazz company and teaching applied jazz piano, improvisation and small group performance at CMI.

UNT College of Music acquires collection of Grammy-winning vocalist and vocal arranger Gene Puerling

10/30/2014 - 10:33am


Maristella Feustle, Music Librarian (L), Jennifer Barnes, Director of Vocal Jazz (R). Photo by Ahna Hubnik/URCM. Click to view larger image.

What: The UNT College of Music’s newly acquired Gene Puerling collection will be housed in the Music Library. The collection of music and memorabilia from the Grammy-winning vocal arranger will be available for research by the UNT community and other library guests by special arrangement.
Save the date: At 8 p.m. April 16 and 17, 2015, the UNT Jazz Singers and One O’Clock Lab Band will perform concerts celebrating the music of Gene Puerling in Voertman Hall in the College of Music, 415 Avenue C, Denton. Guest artists for the concerts include Don Shelton, vocalist with The Hi-Los! and The Singers Unlimited. Tickets may be bought after Jan. 26 and will be $10 for adults; $8 for seniors non-UNT students, children, UNT faculty, staff and retirees, and groups of 10 or more; and free for UNT students.
More information: For information related to the collection, visit jazz.unt.edu/genepuerling, which will be updated regularly.

Read more at jazz.unt.edu/genepuerling.

Works by Karns and Zaremba in JEN Student Composition Showcase

11/05/2014 - 5:27pm

Keith Karns, current doctoral student, and Drew Zaremba, current master's student, have had their works selected for the Jazz Education Network Student Composition Showcase, which will happen during the Jazz Education Network annual conference in San Diego in January 2015. Keith's "The House At The End Of High Street" and Drew's "Blues for Gabe" from Lab 2014 will be played by the Alan Baylock Orchestra at the JEN conference.

 

Chuck Findley is the Fall Concert Guest Artist

11/12/2014 - 1:20pm


Poster designed by Brad Haefner
Chuck Findley is the guest artist for the 54th annual fall concert by the One O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Jay Saunders, on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. in Winspear Hall. Tickets: http://music.unt.edu/mpac/

One O'Clock Lab Band Fall Concert will be streamed

11/24/2014 - 12:27pm

The One O'Clock Lab Band Fall Concert featuring Chuck Findley on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. in Winspear Hall will be livestreamed at:

http://www.untmusiclive.com/

Michael League Q&A on Dec. 4, 2014

11/26/2014 - 1:30pm

Michael League will hold a Q&A on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Kenton Hall (room 282 in the UNT College of Music building). Admission is free.

Michael League is a Grammy Award-winning bassist, guitarist, composer, arranger, producer, label owner, and bandleader based out of Brooklyn, New York.

As a military brat, he was born in southern California and grew up in both southern Alabama and northern Virginia. Michael attended the University of North Texas' jazz studies program for 4 years, then moved to nearby Dallas for another 3 years, where he worked with some of the most influential figures in modern gospel, R&B, and soul music, and was mentored by legendary keyboardist Bernard Wright (Miles Davis, Chaka Khan).

Performing, recording, and production credits include Grammy Award winners Kirk Franklin, Roy Hargrove, Tommy Sims, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, John Popper, Bobby McFerrin, Gordon Chambers, Lalah Hathaway, Walter Hawkins, and Patti Austin, as well as Musiq Soulchild, Chris Potter, Wayne Krantz, Ari Hoenig, Adam Rogers, Lionel Loueke, Donnie McClurkin, Lucy Woodward, DJ Logic, Myron Butler & Levi, Ivan Neville, and Jason Marsalis among others.

Michael runs the Grammy Award-winning instrumental music ensemble Snarky Puppy, whose grass-roots approach to the changing music industry has met major critical and commercial success. Their albums reached #1 on the ITUNES Jazz and #5 on the Billboard Jazz charts in 2013 and 2014, and their collaboration with Lalah Hathaway on the Family Dinner - Volume One DVD resulted in a Grammy for “Best R&B Performance” in 2014. His efforts as a bandleader and bassist earned him an interview in the Random House release "The New Face of Jazz" alongside the likes of Wynton Marsalis and Sonny Rollins.

Now in Brooklyn, Michael has his hands in dozens of pots. He plays regularly in several New York-based groups and spends the majority of his time producing and arranging for an eclectic blend of artists on both independent and major labels. In early 2012, he launched his own imprint, GroundUP Music, under Ropeadope Records.

Michael is passionately committed to music education and outreach, having given clinics at over 150 schools throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Pacific, and Europe. He also works closely with several non-profit organizations in the U.S.A. and holds an open-ended artist-in-residence position at Roanoke, Virginia's Jefferson Center for the Arts. He also holds a position as Visiting Faculty at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London, England, and teaches private lessons through The New School in New York City.