A Philosophy of Jazz Education

The Eastman experience as a jazz studies and contemporary media student.

The jazz studies and contemporary media (JCM) department of the Eastman School of Music is committed to finding and educating the next generation of jazz musicians who will shape the course of music in contemporary and future media. Beginning with the admissions process, the potential Eastman student passes through a pre-qualifying series of events that identifies the most outstanding candidates. This includes both classical and jazz auditions, plus ear training and theory placement exams. In any given year from well over 100 submitted tapes, approximately 40 students are invited to Eastman for a live audition. When the process finally is completed about 10% of the original pool of applicants are offered admittance. The entire JCM enrollment is approximately 50, in a student body at Eastman that numbers more than 800.

Once admitted, JCM students have the opportunity to obtain the most comprehensive education in jazz today. The core faculty is in residence and works with students on a daily basis. This day-to-day instruction is augmented by frequent master classes and guest appearances by top international artists. The Eastman JCM curriculum has been designed and modified over the years to enable all students — both performance and writing skills majors — to maximize their creative efforts along all stylistic paths. Since the early 1970s when composer Rayburn Wright, pianist Bill Dobbins, and saxophonist Ramon Ricker comprised the JCM faculty and developed the first jazz degree programs, the philosophy within the department has remained consistent. The goal is to graduate professional caliber musicians who are comfortable within the large sphere of jazz-based musical styles, and who are capable of creating their own strong voice in any musical setting. The faculty believes that the way to accomplish this is to expose students to both the classical and jazz traditions, with emphasis on the repertoire and disciplines associated with the learning of improvisation skills.

JCM Performance Workshops (see more information under "Current Students" and "Ensembles" sections) provide the ideal environment in which students hone these skills and participate fully in the jazz education experience. JPWs, as they are called, supply the curriculum with a cutting-edge course of contemporary performance and preparation for recording. By combining the experiences of small ensembles, improvisation studies, writing skills, theoretical work, and aural training into an intense and focused ongoing workshop atmosphere, the study of jazz is approached from a holistic point of view.

The JCM Faculty In addition to serving as the chair of the department, pianist/composer Harold Danko directs the JPWs and teaches jazz piano. Composer/arranger/author Bill Dobbins directs the award-winning Eastman Jazz Ensemble, the 70-piece Eastman Studio Orchestra, and coordinates the jazz writing skills program. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins brings to Eastman a wealth of experience as a current, "in demand" jazz soloist and improviser. Clay teaches jazz trumpet, JPWs, and theory/improvisation. Rounding out the full-time jazz faculty is bassist Jeff Campbell, who brings rhythm section expertise to the department by teaching jazz bass, JPWs, jazz history, theory, and ear training.

To this core faculty are added the adjunct instructors: Award Winning composer and arranger Dave Rivello directs the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble. Mark Kellogg serves as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's principal trombonist and teaches Eastman's jazz trombone majors. Former Chuck Mangione sideman Bob Sneider oversees the jazz guitar studio, and former Count Basie drummer Rich Thompson teaches jazz drum set. Rochester Philharmonic Principal Pops Conductor and Grammy Award-winning producer Jeff Tyzik teaches the studio production course.

The strength of Eastman's Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media degree programs lies in the hard work expected of each student in every aspect of study, coupled with the individual attention received from faculty. The sheer scope of material covered in the curriculum sustains the discipline level, while the faculty members as mentors provide personal encouragement as they coach the necessary skills. In a manner tested by time but rare in today's style of education, the JCM apprentice can gain true confidence and attain the mastery needed for an artistically rewarding professional career.

 

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