Jazz

The jazz program at BYU embraces the full spectrum of this unique American musical idiom. From academic studies to world-wide touring oppportunities, students have extraordinary opportunities to learn their craft.

Ensembles

Big Bands

Synthesis Ray Smith, Director	BYU's Premier Big Band tours internationally every two years and domestically on the off years. They perform annually at national and international jazz festivals. They have also performed at the International Association of Jazz Educators Annual Conference many times. These professional-caliber musicians perform several times each year on campus.
Jazz Ensemble Mark Ammons, Director	BYU's Synthesis-in-training group performs locally and regionally and provides a tremendous training situation for up and coming jazz musicians. They also perform on-campus several times a year. Click here to download the 2008 Jazz Ensemble CD
Jazz Lab Band Daniel Henderson, Director	BYU's evening band is for serious musicians with less time available in their schedules. They perform on-campus twice each year.

Combos

Q'd Up	The Faculty Jazz Quintet has produced three cds thus far and has performed throughout the region. Members include: Ray Smith, woodwinds; Steve Lindeman, piano; Matt Larson, bass; Jay Lawrence, vibes and drums; Ron Brough, drums and auxiliary percussion.
Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band Steve Call, Director	The Dixieland-style showcase ensemble has performed throughout the US at festivals and conferences.
Salsa Combo Jay Lawrence, Director	This group performs the exciting Latin style in numerous venues throughout the local and regional area.
5 Traditional Jazz Combos Jay Lawrence, Coordinator	These groups perform in a traditional 'casual' format in the community and on-campus.

Vocal Jazz Ensembles

Jazz Voices Kelly Eisenhour, Director	This group of select voices performs professional caliber vocal jazz literature with a strong emphasis on improvisation. They have performed to great acclaim at national and international festivals.
Vocal Point James Stevens, Director	Nine extraordinary male voices blending together in original a cappella charts. This group performs nationally and internationally and has received exceptional acclaim.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble Kelly Eisenhour, Director	This ensemble provides outstanding experience to a group of 20 auditioned vocalists in the intricacies of the vocal jazz idiom.

Nothing conjures up the vision of 1920s America more than the swinging music of BYU's Dixieland band Jazz Legacy. As guest performer at international jazz festivals, Jazz Legacy has earned an international reputation quality peformance -- while its repertoire of Dixieland standards and their fast-paced stage show has won it a name for entertainment at schools, conventions, and civic concerts. Featuring clarinet, trombone, trumpet, piano, banjo, drums, and bass, Jazz Legacy brings back the memories of a bygone era.

Know for its tight harmonies, rhythmic accuracy, and outstanding improvisational "scatting" abilities, Jazz Voices keeps vocal jazz enthusiasts singin' and swingin'. The acclaimed choir consists of approximately 14 singers and a rhythm section and performs all styles of jazz--blues, bebop, swing funk, and Latin.

Some music is sung a cappella, and other arrangments utilize the group's piano, guitar, bass, and drum accompaniment. With all this versatility, one thing remains constant: Jazz Voices always dazzles.

Photos and Text Courtesy of BYU Performing Arts Management; pam.byu.edu

Jazz

Music

Performing Ensembles