I was fortunate to study music at NCCU. The “faculty gave me the opportunity to get a great
music education. I have a commitment to give back to the university that gave me so much.”
— Dr. ira wiggins, '77 associate professor of music and director of Jazz Studies Program (pictured, from left, Chancellor Charlie Nelms, NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath, Wiggins)
others. Students from the program have won Outstanding Performance awards in DownBeat, the noted jazz magazine. A partial list of performing jazz program alumni includes Grady Tate ’59, Leon Pendarvis ’66, Stanley Baird ’72, Harold Greene ’93, Brian Miller, Chip Crawford, Eve Cornelius ’99, Ameen Saleem ’01, LeRoy Barley ’01, Brian Horton, Damon Brown ’93, Alvin Atkinson ’95, Jonovan Cooper ’98, Eve Cornelius ’99, Iajhi Hampden ’01, Jeremy Clemons ’01, Albert Strong ’03, Adia Ledbetter ’07, Mavis Poole ’07, Ryan Hanseler ’10, Bluford Thompson ’10, and Chris Hankins ’10. (Hanseler, Thompson and Hankins all earned the Master of Music degree a year ago.)
NCCU’s program is special and distinct indeed. Of 108 public and private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), fewer than 10 offer degrees in jazz studies, and only NCCU and Howard offer a master’s-level program. “In many U.S. universities, jazz is not viewed as a worthy academic discipline,” Wiggins says. “But jazz courses and degrees flourish in major, non-HBCU universities throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. It just makes sense for HBCUs to play a vital role in the preservation and perpetuation of an art form that owes its development and origin to the African-American experience.” Asked why he has devoted his career to jazz studies at NCCU, Wiggins responds,
2009 I Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs at Notre Dame Jazz Festival in South Bend, Ind. I Jazz Ensemble performs at Newport Jazz Festival with Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo I Jazz Ensemble performs at Detroit Jazz Festival
2010
I Vocal Jazz
“I was very fortunate to study music at NCCU. With my background as an R&B guitarist in my brother’s band, with no formal training or high school band experience, most universities would have denied my pursuit. The faculty and university gave me the opportunity to obtain a great music education. I have a commitment to give back to an institution that gave me so much. It’s my obligation.” Lois Deloatch is NCCU’s vice chancellor for institutional advancement. She also is a professional singer and songwriter, specializing in jazz, blues, and spirituals, and a longtime supporter of NCCU’s jazz studies program.
2010 Ensemble performs at New York City Jazz Festival
I Jazz Ensemble receives 1st place awards for Big Band and Combo with outstand- ing soloist awards, Best Rhythm Section, Best Trumpet Section, and Best Saxophone Section at the Villanova Jazz Festival, Pa. Fall 2011 NCCU NOW
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