Jazz Studies

San Diego State University Jazz Studies Program is the largest in California, having eight performance ensembles. The program offers both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Jazz Studies. At the International Association of Jazz Educators Convention, famed jazz critic Leonard Feather described the SDSU Jazz Ensemble #1's bristling set as a yardstick to measure college jazz bands.

performance photo of SDSU Jazz Orchestra, Lee Elderton-saxophoneThe SDSU Jazz Ensemble #1 has recorded three CD/cassettes that have received rave reviews. Don't Make Noise on Discovery Records was a Grammy nominee, Live at Montreux, with guest artist Clark Terry chronicles the band's performance/TV broadcast at the legendary Swiss Jazz Festival and its most recent recording is entitled Three Steps Ahead. The European press writes. The most beautiful moment of the evening came when the magnificent, tight swing playing of the SDSU band accompanied one of the masters of the trumpet and flugelhorn.. As winners of the National Collegiate Jazz Competition, the band was invited to perform at Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida with Wynton Marsalis, Pete Fountain and Louie Bellson.

photo of SDSU Jazz Orchestra posing in Waikiki, Hawaii SDSU's Jazz Ensemble #1 has performed with such legendary jazz musicians as George Shearing, Dizzy Gillespie, Diane Schuur, Rob McConnell, Charles McPherson, Conte Candoli, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, Lanny Morgan, Mundell Lowe, Don Menza, Marv Stamm, Bud Shank, Gabe Baltizar, Tiger Okoshi, Gary Foster, Kim Richmond, George Roberts, Holly Hofmann, Ernie Watts, Dave Friesen, Ed Shaughnessey, and Barney Kessel, to name only a few. One of the band's accomplishments was a ten-day tour of Taiwan, Republic of China, performing a series of concerts throughout the entire country. Presently, the SDSU Jazz Ensemble #1 is the house band for the Hawaii International Jazz Festival held every July, where they back up world renowned jazz artists and are one of the featured attractions.

Larry Himmel, San Diego TV personality and jazz aficionado writes, Jazz is alive and well on campus! Not that yupped-out jazak, jacuzzi jazz, this is the genuine article. Listen to the SDSU Jazz Ensemble on stage and in the tradition. They are a joy to be heard.

For further information, contact Bill Yeager, Director of Jazz Studies, (619) 594-4680, or via e-mail: yeager1@mail.sdsu.edu