Jazz Combos class, MUSI-1120, has openings for jazz pianists and bassists. The class is open to all UConn students with a demonstrable proficiency on their instrument for availabile combo openings as determined by the professor. Bassists may play upright or electric bass.
MUSI 1120. Jazz Combos. (1 Credit)
Engagement in the artistic process of performing improvised jazz combo music as a unique, cultural form of human expression.
Enrollment Requirements: Instructor consent; placement audition required. Recommended preparation: instrumental proficiency.
May be repeated for a total of 8 credits
Content Areas: CA1: Arts & Humanities
Topics of Inquiry: TOI1:Creativity: Des,Expr,Innv, TOI2: Cultural Dimen Human Exp
The class meets Mondays in MUSB109 from 5-6:30PM and combos are required to rehearse once a week outside of class.
Please check out the UConn Jazz YouTube channel
Email Professor Steven Bulmer at steven.bulmer@uconn.edu with questions or to submit audition materials.
Regarding enrolling in the class, all new students are required to demonstrate that they have the requisite playing skills to be successful in class. You may send me a .MOV or .MP4 file or a link to the video on YouTube.
Auditions for placement in the UConn Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band and jazz combos will be submitted electronically. Students are to video record themselves playing:
1. A 12-bar blues (or jazz standard of your choosing) with recorded accompaniment. For your convenience, here are direct links to Billie’s Bounce (F blues): https://youtu.be/Ttn7D-WB9R0?si=FJlwy_LjfKE_cCTZ and Sonny Moon For Two (Bb): https://youtu.be/7rpI71NuRHs?si=GPLqH7BqbgxM4FAy
Ideally, we would like you to play the head twice, followed by 3 choruses of improvisation, and then the head once again. Pianists and guitarists: please “comp” for two choruses prior to playing the out-head.
Bassists: In addition to demonstrating your improvisation skills with a play-a-long track, please record 2 choruses of bassline walking on a 12-bar blues in F, at a metronome marking of quarter note = 144.
2. Any song (jazz or otherwise) which will serve as a representation of your musicianship (demonstrating sound, accuracy, rhythmic interpretation, facility, etc.) A prepared jazz transcription or etude would be preferable, but a classical excerpt would also be acceptable.
Drummers: in lieu of the above, demonstrate the following “feels,” playing each sample for approximately 30 seconds.
- Medium swing
- Bossa Nova
- Samba
- ¾ jazz waltz
- 12/8 afro Cuban
- Up-tempo swing
- Brushes at a ballad tempo
- Swing brushes on the snare at a medium-up tempo
Finally, to demonstrate your soloing, trade 4-measure phrases with yourself, alternating swing time-keeping and soloing.
3. Brass – range and lead demonstration:
For jazz ensemble/jazz lab band, brass players have the option of demonstrating their upper register by playing a lead ensemble part of your choosing, a chromatic scale upwards to your highest note, or a simple melody in the upper register.
More information available at music.uconn.edu
For more information, contact: Steven Bulmer at steven.bulmer@uconn.edu