UConn Jazz

The University of Connecticut Jazz Ensemble

The UConn Jazz Ensemble is an integral component of the University's music program. The 20-piece group is comprised primarily of music majors, but is open to students from other concentrations within the university who demonstrate exceptional instrumental skills in their auditions.

A varied repertoire is performed, emphasizing both modern and historically significant big band styles. Jim McNeely, Rich Shemaria, Bob Mintzer, Rob McConnell, Mike Tomaro, Michael Philip Mossman, Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Frank Foster and Duke Ellington are composers and arrangers whose works have been featured in recent concerts.

The jazz ensemble is directed by Earl MacDonald, former musical director for Maynard Ferguson & "Big Bop Nouveau". Professor MacDonald frequently composes and arranges new material specifically for the UConn Jazz Ensemble. He also places emphasis on the performance of student arrangements. Guest artists with the ensemble have included Kenny Wheeler, Rufus Reid, Jiggs Whigham, Marian McPartland,Dick Oatts,Joe Labarbera, Ernie Watts, Byron Stripling, John Faddis, and Michael Philip Mossman.

The award winning UConn Jazz Ensemble tours widely throughout New England. They have played at the New York Brass Conference and have been recognized for outstanding musicianship at the Villanova and MIT collegiate jazz festivals.

The Jazz Lab Band

The Jazz Lab Band is designed to function as a feeder system, training and developing students to climb the ranks from the Lab Band to the Jazz Ensemble. In rehearsals, the Lab Band focuses on sight reading and repertoire chosen to teach and reinforce the stylistic nuances of big band jazz. The Lab Band performs one on-campus concert per semester.

UConn Jazz Studies


Jazz Ensemble/Lab Band Combos About the Director Other Jazz Faculty New Jazz Degree!

	The University of Connecticut Jazz Ensemble The UConn Jazz Ensemble is an integral component of the University's music program. The 20-piece group is comprised primarily of music majors, but is open to students from other concentrations within the university who demonstrate exceptional instrumental skills in their auditions. A varied repertoire is performed, emphasizing both modern and historically significant big band styles. Jim McNeely, Rich Shemaria, Bob Mintzer, Rob McConnell, Mike Tomaro, Michael Philip Mossman, Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Frank Foster and Duke Ellington are composers and arrangers whose works have been featured in recent concerts. The jazz ensemble is directed by Earl MacDonald, former musical director for Maynard Ferguson & "Big Bop Nouveau". Professor MacDonald frequently composes and arranges new material specifically for the UConn Jazz Ensemble. He also places emphasis on the performance of student arrangements. Guest artists with the ensemble have included Kenny Wheeler, Rufus Reid, Jiggs Whigham, Marian McPartland,Dick Oatts,Joe Labarbera, Ernie Watts, Byron Stripling, John Faddis, and Michael Philip Mossman. The award winning UConn Jazz Ensemble tours widely throughout New England. They have played at the New York Brass Conference and have been recognized for outstanding musicianship at the Villanova and MIT collegiate jazz festivals. The Jazz Lab Band The Jazz Lab Band is designed to function as a feeder system, training and developing students to climb the ranks from the Lab Band to the Jazz Ensemble. In rehearsals, the Lab Band focuses on sight reading and repertoire chosen to teach and reinforce the stylistic nuances of big band jazz. The Lab Band performs one on-campus concert per semester.

UConn Jazz Studies