Dr. Darden Purcell, Host
John Kocur, Festival Coordinator
Jim Carroll, Founder Mason Jazz Studies
Saturday, March 2nd, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Harris Theatre
George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
WELCOME
Welcome to the Mason Jazz Festival, 2024!
We are excited you are here and wish you a wonderful day of performing and educational clinics. Special thanks to John Kocur for his excellent coordination of this festival. Thank you to Dean Rick Davis and the Director of the Dewberry School of Music, Dr. Linda AppleMonson for their support. Thank you, band directors, for your dedication to Jazz education and for bringing your students to this festival!
Thank you to our guest community bands, JazzWorx Big Band and the Hot Lanes Big Band for your wonderful playing. Finally, thank you students for your dedication to this truly American art-form, JAZZ! - Dr.
Darden Purcell, Director of Jazz Studies
Today, we celebrate the way jazz music transcends boundaries and brings us together. You will hear music from high school students, college students, adult community members of all ages, and professional musicians at the highest level of the field. No matter your age, where you come from, musician or listener, we can all unite in the jazz experience. In addition to everyone Dr. Purcell mentioned, thank you to University Life for their generous support of this event. Lastly, I encourage you to scroll to the bottom of this digital program to find out more about Mason Jazz Studies and our 2024 Mason Jazz Camp.
- John Kocur, Assistant Professor of Jazz StudiesABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Mason Jazz Festival is an invitational event open to middle school, high school, collegiate and community jazz ensembles. The festival is sponsored by Mason Jazz Studies and the Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University. Throughout the day, seven high school bands, two community bands, and two collegiate bands will perform in the Harris Theatre. High school groups will perform a 20–30minute set, followed by a clinic with Mason Jazz faculty in the de Laski Performing Arts building. The evening will conclude with featured performances by the Mason Jazz Ensemble, directed by Professor Jim Carroll, and a special Mason Jazz Faculty All-Star Concert.
All events are free and open to the public. Audience members are welcome to enter and leave the theater as needed between selections. Food is available for purchase in the Johnson Center just across from the Harris Theatre.
Adjudicators
• Jim Carroll – Founder, Jazz Studies, George Mason University
• Paul Bratcher - Director of Jazz Studies, Georgetown University
• Ricky Parrell - Alto Saxophonist, USAF Band
Clinicians
• Graham Breedlove
• Aaron Eckert
• Dr. Kevin McDonald
• Xavier Perez
• Victor Provost
• Dr. Shawn Purcell
• Ben Thomas
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (cont.)
Student Ambassadors
• Amanda Araujo
• Nareg Boghosian
• MJ Carpenter
• Clay Cottis
• Ponenya Min
• Wilfredo Zuniga
Festival Photographer
• Gabriel Rivera-Martinez
Additional Acknowledgements
Thank you to the following offices and people for their support:
• Harris Theatre backstage staff
• Center for the Arts audio staff
• College of Visual and Performing Arts staff
• Dewberry Family School of Music administrative staff
• University Life Grants office
Meet the Adjudicators
Jim Carroll has a versatile background ranging from tours with Michael Jackson to Woody Herman and The Thundering Herd. Jim received both his Undergraduate and Graduate training from Indiana University under the tutelage of David Baker and Eugene Rousseau. His travels have taken him to major venues in each of the Fifty States, Europe, and the Far East. He has performed at the Aurex, Nice, Bern, Concord, Montreux, Kool, Monterey, Newport, North Sea, Perugia, and Pori jazz festivals. Active as an educator, he has taught at Butler University, Capital University, and the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops.
He has authored several volumes through Hal Leonard’s “Artists Transcriptions” series, including a collaboration with jazz legend Sonny Rollins. His arrangement and performance of “The Ballgame” can be heard at main entrance of Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Mr. Carroll was a charter member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, in residence at the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. He performed, recorded, and toured with the group until 1999 when he assumed the position as Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University.
Mr. Carroll is the founder and artistic director of the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and the Jazz Connection. He is passionate about spreading the word of the power of the arts to bring people together, change lives and do good in the world. Jim resides in Manassas, Virginia with his wife Janette.
Paul Bratcher, a native of Harrisburg Pennsylvania began playing piano at age 11. He began his study of jazz at Bishop McDevitt High School where he played in the Jazz Band under the direction of David Knott. After high school Paul continued his education at Messiah College where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While attending Messiah he had the pleasure of playing with and learning from such jazz masters as Tim Warfield, Kirk Reese, Cyrus Chestnut and Bruce Barth. After Paul graduated from Messiah, he continued his education at Michigan State University studying Jazz Studies under worldrenowned bassist Rodney Whitaker. During his time at Michigan State, Paul had a plethora of both teaching and playing opportunities.
As a teacher Paul worked with the jazz program at MSU Community Music School in Detroit as well as a clinician for a variety of high schools in the mid-Michigan area. As a player Paul has shared the stage with Rodney Whitaker, Diego Rivera, Etienne Charles, Michael Dease, and Wes “Warm Daddy” Anderson.
After graduating with a M.M. in Jazz Studies Paul has been busy playing and teaching in the D.C. area. He has toured South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Canada, and Uruguay, Egypt, Indonesia and more. Currently Paul is Associate Chair of Piano at the Levine School of Music in Washington D.C. and Director of Jazz Studies at Georgetown University. www.paulbratcher.com
Ricky Parrell is an alto saxophonist with the Concert Band, The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. A 2006 graduate from George Mason University, he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a minor in jazz studies. He received a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance from the University of North Texas in 2008. His former teachers include Rick Parrell Sr., Dale Underwood, Jim Carroll, Ed Fraedrich, Marty Nau, Eric Marienthal, and Eric Nestler.
Comfortable in all performing styles, Parrell has appeared at such notable venues as The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas), The Eisemann Center (Dallas), and Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts (Vienna, Virginia). Throughout his musical career, he has performed in all the lower 48 states.
In April of 2010, Parrell had the pleasure of performing the world premiere of "Rituals for Alto Saxophone and Orchestral Winds" by Vincent Oppido, a piece that was written for him and the George Mason University Wind Symphony. Before joining the Air Force, he maintained a private studio of over 50 saxophone, flute, and clarinet students. His students have been members of the Texas All State Band, Virginia All State Jazz Band and Fairfax County District XI and XII Bands. rickyparrell.com
Meet the Clinicians
Since taking up the trumpet at age twelve in his hometown of Lafayette, LA Graham Breedlove has performed on four continents in more than twenty countries, with headliners representing more than one hundred Grammy nominations. Among these are: The Saturday Night Live Band, Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis, Ramsey Lewis, Mariah Carey, and Doc Severinsen. As a leader, Breedlove is a Summit Records recording artist. The Graham Breedlove Quintet appears regularly at the Kennedy Center and was invited by the Obama administration to perform at the White House. Graham is listed in the book Trumpet Greats, which is “a biographical dictionary of famous trumpeters since the Baroque Era” by noted educator/author/trumpeter David Hickman. As a sideman, Breedlove has appeared on more than 200 recordings, including backto-back Grammy winners in 2004 and 2005.
Currently, Mr. Breedlove is a trumpet soloist with the Army Blues jazz ensemble, part of The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC and he has appeared as a soloist, composer/arranger, or lead player on seven CDs with the Army Blues. Graham also appears as musical director, soloist, and composer/arranger on “Voodoo Boogaloo” and “Back to the Bayou,” critically acclaimed recordings by Swamp Romp, a Louisiana music group comprised of members of the Army Blues. In an effort to promote jazz, Breedlove has presented clinics, masterclasses, and has appeared as a guest soloist at colleges and universities across the country, and he has served on the faculties of Towson University, Catholic University of America, and the National Jazz Workshop. Graham also appears on the Hal Leonard Jazz Play Along Series, an educational book/CD series with over 150 volumes currently available in music stores around the world. www.grahambreedlove.com
Aaron Eckert, originally from Belleville, IL, is a trombonist with the U.S. Army Blues, the premier jazz ensemble of the Army. He has performed with artists such as Jon Faddis, Jeff Hamilton, Chuck Israels, Conrad Herwig, and Scott Wendholt, among others. With the Army Blues, Aaron has performed across the capital region, including the White House, Capitol Building, and Kennedy Center. In addition to the Blues, Aaron performs regularly in the D.C. area in a wide variety of musical settings.
Before moving to D.C., Eckert served as the Low Brass Instructor at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR. While in Oregon, he played regularly with the Mel Brown Big Band, the Hapa Hillbillies, the Chuck Israels Octet, the Eastern Oregon Symphony, and was on the jazz faculty at the Eastern Illinois University Summer Music Camp.
Aaron completed his master’s degree with a Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman School of Music, with degrees in Jazz and Contemporary Media Performance (trombone) and Performance and Literature (euphonium). While at Eastman, Eckert was awarded 1st prize in the Rich Matteson Jazz Euphonium Competition, as well as 2nd prize (as a member of the Carillon Tuba Quartet) in the ensemble competition at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference. Also, Eckert was selected as a finalist for the International Trombone Association J.J. Johnson Competition and placed 2nd in the Texas State Jazz Trombone Competition. Eckert had the privilege of studying both trombone and euphonium with Mark Kellogg.
Eckert holds bachelor's degrees in music education and jazz studies from Eastern Illinois University. During his undergraduate studies, Eckert was recognized as the Outstanding Music Student of the Year from 2012-2014, the Outstanding Performer of the Year in 2013 & 2014 and was a finalist for student teacher of the year in 2014. During his five years at Eastern Illinois, Aaron studied with Paul Johnston and Jemmie Robertson.
Kevin C. McDonald, Ph.D. is a passionate musicologist and an acclaimed jazz drummer. His performance credits include Dave Liebman, Mark Turner, Paquito D’Rivera, Miguel Zenon, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, and Lee Konitz in international venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The White House, The U.S. Library of Congress, The Midwest Clinic, the Jazz Education Network, and Bimhuis. He serves as Adjunct Professor of Applied Jazz Percussion at George Mason University and as drummer for the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, the Navy’s premier jazz ensemble.
Professor McDonald is a proud endorsing artist for Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Remo drumheads. He holds a Ph.D. in musicology from the Catholic University of America and has been invited to present excerpts from his dissertation, “Hearing the American Civil Rights Movement in the Music of Max Roach,” at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Musicological Society (AMS). He was selected to perform in Carnegie Hall’s 2011 Professional Training Workshops directed by Brad Mehldau and has given masterclasses at leading institutions around the globe, including Columbia University Teachers College, Georgetown University, and Manhattan School of Music.
Recipient of the William H. Borden Award, Clement Meadmore Scholarship, Manhattan School of Music Scholarship, and Center for Music Entrepreneurship Fellowship, he holds a Master of Music in Jazz Arts from Manhattan School of Music, where he studied in the studio of John Riley.
He earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies/Contemporary Media and a Certificate in World Music/Ethnomusicology from the Eastman School of Music, where he was the recipient of the Howard Hanson Scholarship. Professor McDonald originally hails from Greensboro, North Carolina. kevinmcdonaldmusic.com
Originally from Miami, FL, Xavier Perez has performed in 13 countries and 48 states with a wide range of artists in the jazz and Latin music worlds. Xavier was the only U.S representative selected to perform in the final elimination round at an international saxophone competition where he placed 2nd place out of hundreds of applicants from more than 20 countries.
Before relocating to the Washington DC metro area, Xavier was a freelance performing and recording artist living in New York City for 11 years. During his tenure in NYC, he became a regular sideman at venues including “The Blue Note,” “Smalls,” etc.
He has performed as a touring member of Paquito D’Rivera and The United Nations Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York, and Ignacio Berroa Quartet, among others. He has shared concert, festival, and night club stages with (in addition to the above) James Moody, Diane Schurr, Brian Lynch, John Fedchock, Eric Harland, Michael Mossman and more. He can be heard on recordings alongside Mark Turner, Antonio Sanchez, Edmar Castaneda, Maurice Brown, Jaleel Shaw, and Sam Barsh.
In the Washington DC area Xavier has performed with The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, The National Symphony Orchestra Pops, and The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra.
Xavier is currently assistant musical director and tenor saxophonist for the US Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, the premier band of the Army, performing ceremonies and concerts at the White House, the US Capital, and in the DC metro area.
Xavier Perez is also a proud endorser of D’Addario Woodwind Reeds.
Victor Provost’s performances transcend the expectations of instrument and genre. With appearances at major venues throughout the world (including Shanghai Concert Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater, the Umbria Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center) he has been meticulously solidifying his reputation as a master of the Steel Pan and crafting an improvisational voice and style to be reckoned with.
Provost’s ability to extemporaneously weave through complex jazz harmony with accuracy and conviction, while being thoughtful and creative, often elicits the statement “I didn’t know a steel pan could do that.” He is one of a handful of pan players in the world who have incorporated the foundation of bebop into his playing, and arguably, the only one who has expounded on that vocabulary with a modern sensibility and style. Born and raised on the island of St. John, Provost was first exposed to the steel pan at age 11, through Steel Unlimited II Youth Steel Orchestra, under the leadership of pan pioneer, Rudy Wells It was with this group of extraordinary young musicians that Provost first cut his teeth on the world stage, traveling throughout the U.S., France, Switzerland, Denmark, and Germany.
In 1998, Provost became the first steel pan soloist to be featured at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. The experience boosted both his confidence in the craft and his musical concept. Since his move to the United States in 1999, Provost has had recorded, toured, and performed with several award-winning groups (including the GRAMMY Award-winning Afro Bop Alliance) and renowned artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Samuels, Hugh Masakela, Nicolas Payton, Allison Hinds, Andy Narell, Terell Stafford, and Ron Blake, to name a few.
Along with a demanding performance schedule, Provost teaches private lessons, directs the George Mason University Steel Ensemble, and works with the Cultural Academy for Excellence, one of the premier steel pan music education programs in the eastern U.S. www.victorprovost.com
Shawn Purcell is a jazz guitarist, educator, arranger, and composer. Purcell has shared the stage, recorded with, and/or toured with Pat Bianchi, Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Sean Jones, Regina Carter, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Daniels, Chris Potter, National Symphony Orchestra, and many others. He has performed at jazz clubs and festivals nationally and internationally including Blues Alley, Smalls, The Jazz Kitchen, The Blue Wisp, Club Bonafide, JazzB (Sao Paulo), DC Jazz Fest, JEN, PASIC, IAJE, Savannah Jazz Fest and Indy Jazz Fest.
Purcell can be heard on nearly 40 recordings with artists including Chip McNeill, Steve Fidyk, Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Darden Purcell, The Capitol Bones, Ben Patterson, Mike Tomaro, and Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra. Symmetricity, Purcell’s first recording as a leader, was released in 2019 on Armored Records and 180, Purcell’s 2nd release, and debut on Origin Records, was released in 2022. Purcell has spent over 19 years as a member of the military big bands in Washington DC. From 1996-2004, Purcell was the guitarist in the US Air Force jazz ensemble, The Airmen of Note. During this time, Purcell performed throughout the world including England, Germany, Turkey, Luxembourg, The Azores, Belgium, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Kuwait, and Bahrain. He is currently the guitarist with the US Navy Band “Commodores” jazz ensemble.
As an educator, Purcell serves as adjunct professor of jazz guitar and jazz arranging at George Mason University. He has served on the faculty at Towson University, Middle Tennessee State University, and was a Visiting Lecturer in Jazz Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington Purcell has also penned educational articles for Premier Guitar and DownBeat Magazine. Purcell earned a BM in Recording Arts & Sciences from Duquesne University, an MA in Music from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. www.shawnpurcell.com
Jazz bassist Ben Thomas hails from Connecticut and currently resides in Washington D.C. He has performed with Melissa Aldana, Ted Nash, Sean Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Tony Malaby, Till Brönner, Ari Honeig, The New York Ballet, and Ryan Truesdell in notable venues including The Kennedy Center, The White House, The Midwest Clinic, The Jazz Education Network, Umbria Jazz Festival, Smalls, and Birdland. He is the Adjunct Professor of Jazz Bass at George Mason University as well as the bassist of the prestigious Airmen of Note, the premier jazz big band of the U.S. Air Force.
Prior to living in Washington D.C., Thomas freelanced in New York City before spending six years in the USAF regional bands, four of which were stationed at Ramstein Airbase, Germany. While in there, Thomas toured 23 countries throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, was music director of the jazz band, and taught bass at the University of Mannheim. Thomas is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he earned both Bachelors and Masters degrees in jazz bass performance. He studied with Jeff Campbell, James VanDemark, Bill Dobbins, Clay Jenkins, Ralph Alessi, and Drew Gress. In 2012 he released his record of live original chordless trio music entitled Endless Mountain Region. Professor Thomas enjoys performing on his 1862 Bohemian bass.
Big Dipper
Yorktown High School
Joseph Witkowski, director
Thad Jones arr. Mike Carubia
Mathieu Mercer, piano
John Settlemyer, trumpet
Colin Riley, tenor saxophone
Breathing Fred Sturm arr. David Springfield
Togo Dan White arr. Chris Ott
Silas Frickert, guitar
Connor Rogers, tenor saxophone
Ben Backer, tenor trombone
Liem Nguyen, trumpet
Walkersville High School
Alexander Loy, director
Chameleon
Stolen Moments
Kai Kamakaris, alto saxophone
Zachary Clemence, trumpet
Herbie Hancock
Oliver Nelson arr. Mike Kamuf
Broken Hearts Mike Tomaro
Kai Kamakaris, alto saxophone
Jonas Nebel, guitar
Morocco
Russ Freeman arr. Gordon Goodwin
Kai Kamakaris, alto saxophone
Jonas Nebel, guitar
Georgetown Day School
Brad Linde, director
Program to be announced from the stage.
INTERMISSION
Hot Lanes Big Band
Bobby Jasinski, director
Jeannine Duke Pearson arr. Jim Vedda
New Blues Donall Piestrup
Lockdown Bobby Jasinski
Que Pasa Horace Silver arr. Bobby Jasinski
Moondance Van Morrison arr. Jim Vedda
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes Jerry Brainen & Buddy Bernier arr. Jim Vedda
Starmaker Lou Marini arr. Bobby Jasinski
Caravan
Duke Ellington & Juan Tizol arr. Bobby Jasinski
Wakefield High School
Henry Jessup, director
Scrapple from the Apple Charlie Parker arr. David Bandman
Landan Gallardo, trumpet, Nicky Antezana, tenor saxophone
Softly as in a Morning Sunrise Sigmund Romberg arr. Mark Taylor
Ray Greco, alto saxophone
Filthy McNasty Horace Silver arr. John LaBarbera
Ray Greco, alto saxophone
Landan Gallardo, trumpet
Katie Driscoll, baritone saxophone
Well, You Needn’t
Thelonious Monk arr. Mike Kamuf
Tuning Up
Ray Greco, tenor saxophone
Nicky Antezana, tenor saxophone
Mountain View High School
Zachary Smith, director
Toshiko Akiyoshi Arr. Zachary Smith
Gavin, mellophone
Carter, trumpet
Olivia, trombone
Aaron, vibraphone
Teddy the Toad Neal Hefti
Latin Dance Bob Mintzer
Alex, tenor saxophone
Mitchell, alto saxophone
Owen, drums
Chancellor High School
Nanda Belby, director
I’m Beginning to See the Light
Aaron Kirkpatrick, trumpet
Liz Freytes, mellophone
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Natalie Pronk, tenor saxophone
Curacau Blue
Duke Ellington
arr. Paul Baker
Charles Mingus
arr. Alan Baylock
Zachary Smith
Azzy Smith, alto saxophone
David Rivas, trombone
Alexandria City High School
Doug Rogers, director
Unsquare Blues
Stefan Redtenbacher
Violet Planey, tenor saxophone
Eliana Rugle keyboard
Quintessence
Quincy Jones
arr. Sammy Nestico
Silas Atkins-Hooke, alto saxophone
Armando's Rhumba
Julian Ambrose, trumpet
Violet Planey, tenor saxophone
Nate Niblock, drums
Chick Corea
arr. Mike Tomaro
JazzWorx Big Band
Bill Schnepper, Director
Oclupaca Duke Ellington arr. Michael Philip Mossman
Anxiously Awaiting Ben Patterson
Blue Chandler Comer
Giant Steps John Coltrane arr. Mark Taylor
It’s Not Polite to Point Gordon Goodwin
Awards Ceremony
Dr. Darden Purcell, Director of Jazz Studies John Kocur, Festival Coordinator
“Outstanding Soloist” awards (cash prizes)
“Best Section” awards (Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Rhythm)
Scholarships to the Mason Jazz Camp, summer 2024.
Mason Jazz Ensemble
Jim Carroll, director
Shiny Stockings Frank Foster
Blues and the Abstract Truth
Every Day I Have the Blues
Oliver Nelson
Aaron and Milton Sparks arr. Frank Foster
Rhythm of Our World Arturo Sandoval arr. Richard Eddy
Saxophones: Jeremy Fagen, David Bardash, Even Holloway, Art Martin
Trombone: Matthew Libby, Tito Ventura, Romeo Gardner, Nolan Lee
Trumpet: Michael Huffman, MJ Carpenter, Humberto Henriquez, Jacob Mendoza, Alex Gay
Rhythm: Paul Bratcher, Kevin Thompson, Clay Cottis, Nareg Boghosian
Voice: Michelle Hodges
Mason Jazz Faculty
Program to be selected from the following:
Second Thoughts
Toni Dagradi arr. Graham Breedlove
Vermillion Graham Breedlove
Wayne’s Thang Kenny Garrett arr. Graham Breedlove
Dance Hall Donald Harrison Jr. arr. Victor Provost
Song for Chelle
Victor Provost
Last Nerve Shawn Purcell
Hoodang Shawn Purcell
John Kocur, saxophone; Xavier Perez, saxophone; Graham Breedlove, trumpet; Victor Provost, steel pan;
Shawn Purcell, guitar;
Paul Bratcher, piano (guest)
Ben Thomas, bass;
Kevin McDonald, drums
The MASON JAZZ CAMP, held on the George Mason University Fairfax Campus, is an inclusive, intensive program, for musicians (instrumental and vocal) of all levels (Under-18 and Adult Tracks), with a desire to advance their musical artistry and professionalism.
COMMUTER AND RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS!
Special guest artists are Cyrus Chestnut and the USAF Airmen of Note!
ABOUT MASON JAZZ STUDIES
The Mason Jazz Studies Department combines performance, curriculum, and service to support House Resolution 57 which states jazz is “hereby designated as a rare and valuable national American treasure.”
The Jazz Studies program (instrumental and vocal) offers opportunities for improvisation, performance, recording, writing, leadership, and service. Our ensembles have performed at places such as:
• Shanghai Concert Hall (Beijing, China)
• Center for the Arts
• Hylton Performing Arts Center
• Virginia Music Educators Association Conference
• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
• Blues Alley
• Kansas City Jazz Summit
• Jazz Education Network Conferences
• University of Trinidad and Tobago, and more.
Our students have won “Outstanding Ensemble” accolades, military band positions and DownBeat Student Music Awards.
A high point of students' time at George Mason University is Jazz4Justice™ , a truly unique event where attorneys, judges, students, and members of the Northern Virginia community gather to celebrate their love of jazz. Proceeds from the evening benefit Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) to continue its mission of service to the Northern Virginia community as well as providing financial support for the Mason Jazz Studies department for scholarships, trips, recordings, and student projects.
Our students and community members have the benefit of attending master classes with world-class musicians throughout the year. Past artists include Christian McBride, Maria Schneider, Eric Alexander, Sean Jones, Peter Erskine, Doc Severinsen, Peter Bernstein, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, Chip McNeill, Brian Skonberg, Pat Bianchi and more.
Jazz Degrees
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (instrumental and vocal)
• Master of Music in Jazz Studies (instrumental and vocal)
• Doctor of Musical Arts (Jazz Emphasis)
• Minor
Find out more about degree programs.
Jazz Ensembles
• Mason Jazz Ensemble
• Jazz Workshop
• Jazz Combos
• Steel Pan Ensemble
• Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble (Down Beat Award Winner)
• Latin American Ensemble (Down Beat Award Winner, 3 years)
• Braddock Road Brass Band
George Mason University School of Music
For more information and a complete listing of concerts and recitals, visit the web site at music.gmu.edu
George Mason University is a registered All-Steinway School
