The 麻豆原创 Jazz program is combining classic repertory and new works in its fall performance schedule, which runs through December.
Jeff Rupert, director of the Jazz Studies program at 麻豆原创, believes it is critical for students to be working side-by-side with active professional musicians.
鈥淲e are bringing in guest artists who have a strong presence in the professional world, so our students can communicate and interact with them,鈥� said Rupert. 鈥淭his fall we are collaborating on repertory works with in-demand artists Harry Allen and Chuck Redd, and learning and performing new works for jazz groups, like our suite for Miles Davis and James Brown at the Florida Music Educators convention in Tampa this January.鈥�
The fall jazz season kicked off Sept. 24 with a performance and master class by jazz vibraphonist Chuck Redd. Rupert said Redd was impressed with 麻豆原创鈥檚 students.
鈥淐huck Redd told me that this has got to be one of the top jazz programs in the country, and certainly the best small jazz program,鈥� Rupert said. 鈥淥ther jazz programs have several hundred students. We have forty. This is a big deal.鈥�
Alex Lewis, a trumpet player in his senior year, was conversely enthralled with Redd. 鈥淗is improvisation is beautiful. It was not only how he was playing, but how he was listening and reacting musically to whatever someone else did. That allowed the music to grow and develop.鈥�
Lewis has been a member of the Flying Horse Big Band since his first semester at 麻豆原创, in the fall of 2012. The Big Band is the premier student jazz ensemble on campus and students audition for a seat every semester. 鈥淭his band has been the defining point of my university career. It is the highest thing I could have hoped for.鈥�
The Flying Horse Big Band has a free concert in Winter Park at the Winter Park Autumn Art festival on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.
The group will also be performing with tenor saxophonist Harry Allen on Friday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. in the Communications Building Auditorium on the 麻豆原创 campus. Tickets for 鈥淗arry Allen plays Harry Allen with the Flying Horse Big Band鈥� cost $10 and can be purchased in advance.
Allen has more than 30 recordings to his name and frequently tours the U.S., Europe, and Asia. His many accolades include the New York Nightlife Award for Outstanding Jazz Combo Performance and Gold Disk Awards for three of his CDs. He has performed and recorded with Rosemary Clooney, John Pizzarelli, Tony Bennett, James Taylor and Ray Brown, among many others.
Ryan Wasner, a junior jazz studies major focusing on jazz guitar, says that performing with guest artists such as Redd and Allen gives the students insight into the world of jazz. This semester, he is particularly excited to be on the stage with Allen.
鈥淲e are playing music that [Allen] wrote, specifically for this concert,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese guys have a lot of experience and insight. They鈥檝e experienced what we are trying to do. Most of the time, people in jazz are wanting to give back. It鈥檚 a social art; they want to be mentors to a younger generation.鈥�
The Flying Horse Big Band will give its final performance of the fall semester on Dec. 4 in the Nicholson School of Communication auditorium. In addition to the Flying Horse Big Band performances, jazz enthusiasts can attend free performances by student jazz combos and ensembles in the 麻豆原创 Rehearsal Hall at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 and 27, and Nov. 10, 17 and 24.
In addition, two of the university鈥檚 jazz ensembles, the Jazz Professors and The Flying Horse Big Band, are producing albums for 麻豆原创鈥檚 record label, Flying Horse Records. The record label has produced six albums and another is in the works. The most recent release by the Jazz Professors, En Plein Air, reached No. 29 on JazzWeek鈥檚 charts this summer and the Big Band鈥檚 recent release, 鈥淚nto the Mystic鈥� was listed as 鈥淐hartbound鈥� by JazzWeek this July.
Performances at a glance:
Flying Horse Big Band Concert
Sunday, October 11, 2015; 1:00 pm
The 麻豆原创 Flying Horse Big Band will perform at the band shell in Central Park, Winter Park, as part of the Winter Park Art Festival.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: Central Park, Winter Park Band Shell
407-823-1500
Harry Allen Plays Harry Allen, with 麻豆原创鈥檚 Flying Horse Big Band
Flying Horse Big Band
Special Guest Harry Allen, tenor saxophone
Friday, October 16, 2015; 8:00 pm
Cost: $10, $5 non-麻豆原创 students, free with 麻豆原创 ID
Location: 麻豆原创 Communications Bldg., Auditorium (101)
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-1500
Jazz Chamber Group Concert Series: Concert I
Tuesday, October 20, 2015; 8:00 pm
Featuring performances by 麻豆原创 Student Jazz Combos
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: 麻豆原创 Rehearsal Hall, Auditorium (116)
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-1500
Jazz Chamber Group Concert Series: Concert II
Tuesday, October 27, 2015; 8:00 pm
Featuring performances by 麻豆原创 Student Jazz Combos.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: 麻豆原创 Rehearsal Hall, Auditorium (116)
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-1500
Jazz Ensemble II Concert
Tuesday, November 10, 2015; 8:00 pm
The 麻豆原创 Jazz Ensemble II presents a concert under the direction of Michael Wilkinson.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: 麻豆原创 Rehearsal Hall, Auditorium (116)
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-1500
Jazz Chamber Groups Concert Series: Concert III
Tuesday, November 17, 2015; 8:00 pm
Featuring performances by 麻豆原创 student Jazz Combos.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: 麻豆原创 Rehearsal Hall, Auditorium (116)
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-1500
Jazz Chamber Groups Concert Series: Concert IV
Tuesday, November 24, 2015; 8:00 pm
Featuring performances by 麻豆原创 student Jazz Combos.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: 麻豆原创 Rehearsal Hall, Auditorium (116)
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-1500
Flying Horse Big Band Concert
Friday, December 4, 2015; 8:00 pm
Cost: $10, $5 non-麻豆原创 students, free with 麻豆原创 ID
Location: 麻豆原创 Communications Bldg., Auditorium (101)
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-1500