Jazz Studies

Department of Music

Dr. Andrew Wheelock, Director of Jazz Studies

Jazz Studies is an integral part of the music department at the University of Wyoming. The program is anchored on a strong curriculum of academic jazz courses, in addition to providing many opportunities to perform on and off campus in a variety of venues, including concerts, festivals, and clinics. Courses such as Jazz Improvisation/ Theory, Jazz Arranging, Jazz History, and Jazz Techniques provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the significance of jazz in contemporary culture, while participation in the instrumental jazz ensembles, vocal jazz ensemble, and jazz combos allow students to put practice into experience.

The Jazz Studies program is available for all undergraduate and graduate students and complements the outstanding traditional music curriculum. Students are able to supplement their music education with a broad jazz curriculum that helps prepare them for a variety of situations in music whether as an educator or performer.

Group of four jazz saxophonists preforming at a concert
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Guest Artists

Each year many world-class jazz artists are brought to the University of Wyoming for concerts, clinics, and performances for with our many student ensembles.

Recent guest artists have included: Joel Frahm, Greg Osby, Terell Stafford, Ari Hoenig, Bill Charlap, Bobby Shew and Greg Gisbert. For ticket and concert information, contact the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts Box Office.



Dr. Andrew Wheelock

Director of Jazz Studies, Drumset

Faculty Page

Dr. Ben Markley

Jazz Piano, Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Combos, Vocal Jazz Ensemble

FACULTY PAGE

Dr. Seth Lewis

String Bass

Faculty Page

Instrumental Jazz Ensembles and Combos

Three 18+-member jazz ensembles form the heart of the instrumental jazz groups. The Wyoming Jazz Ensemble is Wyoming's premiere big band and has regularly earned the highest ratings national jazz festivals. Moreover, the group has received much acclaim for accompaniment of some of the biggest names in jazz music who visit campus for performances. Beyond performances, all three Jazz Ensembles also serve an educational purpose for students to learn the history, various styles, and pedagogy of jazz music. The jazz ensembles perform a variety of repertoire from all styles and periods of jazz music. Faculty and student compositions and arrangements are often programmed. These groups perform during the academic year and tour throughout the region.

 

These small jazz groups focus on the art of improvisation as individuals and as an ensemble. With the guidance of faculty coaches, students in jazz combos prepare and perform their own compositions and arrangements throughout each semester. Here students learn the intricacies of performing with a small number of musicians and hone their improvisation skills.

 

Black and white photo of solo saxophonist performing at a Jazz Ensemble concert

Faculty Quintet

This group features the University of Wyoming Jazz faculty with occasional guest artists. The Faculty Jazz Quintet is available for feature concerts as well as clinics at schools. Contact Dr. Benjamin Markley if you are interested in having the ensemble perform.

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