UMKC Jazz Combos Concert Jazz Ensemble 11 O'Clock Jazz Band

UMKC Jazz Combos

We offer a total of six UMKC Jazz Combos at the Conservatory. Rehearsals are scheduled twice each week, and all combos perform live at local jazz clubs in the Kansas City metro area and in concerts at the UMKC Conservatory of Music.
	Conductor These groups are under the direction of Doug Auwater, Paul McKee, Al Pearson, Dan Thomas, Michael Pagan, Bram Wijnands, and one by our Graduate Teaching Assistant. Audition requirements Jazz Combo auditions are held concurrently with Big Band auditions during the first three days of each semester. They are open to everyone by audition.

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Concert Jazz Ensemble

The Conservatory Concert Jazz Ensemble is the top-performing Jazz ensemble at the Conservatory. The instrumentation is that of a traditional Jazz Big Band with 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, and 5 rhythm (piano, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion). The group often features student and faculty compositions as well as original compositions written especially for the group by Mr. Watson. In the past, the group has performed concerts backing such artists as Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Owens, Paquito D' Rivera, Ray Mantilla, and Curtis Lundy. In 2002, Conducted by the Director of Jazz Studies Bobby Watson, the band performed at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival and received the Division 1 superior rating. The ensemble was honored again in April 2004 as the most outstanding university jazz ensemble at the fourth annual North Texas Jazz Festival in Addison, Texas. The ensemble was given the Dr. M.E. "Gene" Hall Award. The group hopes to continue to travel to other festivals throughout the country and the world as the program continues to grow.

Listen to a sample from the Conservatory Concert Jazz Ensemble:

Conductor Bobby Watson, William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Distinguished Professorship in Jazz Studies and Director of Jazz Studies Audition requirements Placement auditions happen during the first three days of each semester. Recent Repertoire List Afroisms the Spoken Word (U.S. premier)- by Bobby Watson Wheel within a Wheel - by Bobby Watson River Jordan - by Bobby Watson Main Stem, Daybreak Express - by Duke Ellington Invisible Lady- by Charles Mingus Hello and Goodbye - by Bob Brookmeyer The Conservatory Jazz Ensemble is dedicated to performing the classic Jazz repertoire by the Giants of Jazz both past and present.

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11 O'Clock Jazz Band

The Conservatory 11 O’clock Jazz Band was formed in 2000 because of the influx of a growing number of jazz majors. The group has evolved into an outstanding ensemble that performs three times a year in concert. In 2003 the band performed at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival to outstanding reviews, and we look forward to many more performance and outreach opportunities for these students in the years to come.

Conductor Michael Pagan Audition requirements Originally open to all interested parties, the UMKC 11 O'Clock Jazz Band is now available to students by audition only, and these happen during the first three days of class each semester. Recent Repertoire list for prospective students A Separate Walking - by Bill Holman Autumn - by Bob Florence Big Six - by Ahmad Alaadeen - Arranged by Sean Conly Blues For Red - by John Fedchock Dynaflow - by Stan Kenton and Art Pepper Equinox - by John Coltrane - Arranged by Gerald Wilson Festival de Ritmo - by Jay Oliver and Dave Weckl - Arranged by Mark Taylor Flirt - by Bill Holman I Love You - by Cole Porter - Arranged by Les Hooper Ladybird - by Tadd Dameron - Arranged by Maria Schneider Minuano - by Pat Metheny - Arranged by Bob Curnow Pools - by Don Grolnick - Arranged by John Fedchock Red Bank - by Bob Ojeda Tanga - by Dizzy Gillespie - Arranged by Mark Taylor The Last Dive - by Matt Harris Totem Pole - by Lee Morgan - Arranged by Bill Warfield Waltz For Debby - by Bill Evans - Arranged by Keith Foley

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