Jazz Studies
The University of North Texas opened the door for jazz studies at the college level in 1947 when it became first university in the nation to offer a degree program in jazz. Today, the North Texas jazz program, housed within the largest music school in the nation, retains its role as leader in jazz education. It has earned an international reputation for excellence in both the music education field and the professional jazz industry.
The UNT One O'Clock Lab Band is the centerpiece of the program, which offers bachelor and master of music degrees in jazz studies. Eleven faculty, each renowned and respected in the field, instruct almost 400 majors in areas of applied instrumental performance, vocal jazz and composition/arranging. Almost 75 majors are recipients of endowed jazz scholarships.
In 2007 the program celebrates its 60th anniversary, and the 40th year of One O’Clock Lab Band recordings, with three CD/DVD releases: Lab 2007, Live in Thailand, and Live at Blues Alley. A tour of European jazz festivals is planned for the summer of 2008. The 8th annual North Texas Jazz Festival in Addison will take place in April, 2008.
Area Website
Faculty
- Michael Palma—Jazz Studies, Piano, Arranging
- Fred Hamilton—Guitar
- Stefan Karlsson—Jazz Keyboard, MIDI
- John Murphy—Chair of Jazz Studies/Jazz History
- Brad Leali—Saxophone
- John (Jay) Saunders—Trumpet
- Lynn Seaton—Bass
- Ed Soph—Drum Set
- Michael Steinel—Trumpet
- Steve Wiest—Trombone, Composition
- Richard DeRosa—Jazz Arranging
- Rodney Booth—Trumpet, Director of Jazz Repertory Ensemble
Contact Information
Julie Bice
(940) 565-3743
Degrees
- Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (emphases in instrumental, arranging, or vocal)
- Master of Music in Jazz Studies (tracks in performance, composition, pedagogy)
