Directors:

Fred Stride - Jazz Ensemble 1
Dennis Esson - Jazz Ensemble 2

The aim of the jazz ensembles is to gain an appreciation and understanding of jazz in its many forms. The music studied and performed ranges from the early works of Duke Ellington to contemporary jazz rock fusion, and even elements of free jazz. The ensembles perform up to six concerts per year and may include one or two guest artists each season. Membership is open by audition; improvisational skills, while not required, are an asset.

The UBC School of Music the school has been very fortunate to have jazz master classes and performances given by a wide range of jazz musicians - Bobby Shew (trumpet), Phil Woods (alto sax), Cam Ryga (alto sax), PJ Perry (alto sax), Brad Turner (trumpet), Barry Elmes Quintet, Mike Murley Quintet, Time Warp (quartet), Phil Nimmons (composer/clarinet), Ian McDougall (composer/trombone), Brian Dickinson and Kirk MacDonald (piano/tenor sax), David Friesen (bass), Alan Matheson (trumpet), members of the Count Basie Orchestra: Mike Williams (trumpet), Butch Miles (drums), Clarence Banks (trombone), Brad Leali (alto sax), Bill Holman (composer), Marion McPartland (piano), Tom Colclough (clarinet), Talking Pictures, Chucho Valdes (piano), Dennis Esson (trombone), Hugh Fraser Quintet, John Nugent (tenor sax), Chase Sanborn (trumpet), George Robert (alto sax), Bill Watrous (trombone), Brad Turner Trio, Mike Allen Quartet, Jimmy Greene (tenor sax), Walt Weiskopf and Peter Zak (tenor sax/piano), Jiggs Wigham (trombone) and Hal Galper (piano).

Auditions:

Auditions for the jazz ensembles are held during the first week of classes in September. A sign up sheet is placed outside the school office towards the end of August.

The audition consists of sight reading jazz music at varying levels of difficulty. Applicants are encouraged to perform something of their own choosing, ideally jazz related material. Those students with soloing abilities with be asked to demonstrate these skills.

Bassist and guitarists must bring audio cables, amplifiers will be supplied. For drummers/percussionists a drum set will be provided.

UBC Jazz Ensemble I 2011-2012

Saxophones: Shane Beaton - alto 1; Laura Kwun - alto 2; Adam Gough - tenor 1; Jennifer Charters - tenor 2, Beth Ferreira

Clarinet: Matt Darling

Trumpets: Jason Liang; Paul Hempstock; Andrew Lennox; Ryo Hayashi; Sharon Li

Trombones: Cam Golinsky; Chuck Yi; Issac Robinson; Justin Chiang; Kevin Lin

Piano: Alex Clarke

Guitar: Alex Flock

Bass: Jordan Mann

Drums: Jeremy Lawi; Sam Robinson

Vibes/Percussion: Victoria Liu

UBC Jazz Ensemble 2 2011-2012

Saxophones: Nina Falcos - alto 1; John Awrey - alto 1; Waylon Yi - alto 2; Jacob Shieh - alto 2; Patrick Chan - tenor 1; Tenor saxophone/Clarinet - Jack Liang; Cole Murphy - tenor 2; David Reading - tenor 2; Alexander Fetherstonhaugh - baritone

Trumpets: Aurash Yazdgerdian; Justin Ratzburg; Jethro Au; Jacob Schell; Alice Lam

Trombones: Nafeesa Dewji; Merak Li; Michael Gaudet; Sergio Sorcia; Caroni Young

Piano: Lauren Clarrotto; Michael Behrmann

Guitar: Stephan Raupach; Kai Blumberg

Bass: Yefeng Yin; Aaron Andrada

Drums: Jaelem Bhate; Esther Leung

UBC Jazz Performances 2011-2012

Thursday, October 27, 2011 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 1 - UBC Recital Hall [Roy Barnett Hall] - 12:00pm

Quietude - Thad Jones
It Ain’t Necessarily So - George Gershwin; arranged by Fred Stride
Music for Hi-Fi Bugs - Pete Rugolo
Bags - Bill Holman
Dr. Bob - Dave Zoller
All Heart - Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn
Newport - Slide Hampton
Splanky - Neal Hefti

Thursday, November 3, 2011 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 2 - UBC Recital Hall [Roy Barnett Hall] - 12:00pm

Time Waits For No One - Sammy Nestico
Uppin’ Adam - Fred Sturm
It’s Just You and Me - Fred Stride
Work In Progress - Gordon Goodwin; Conducted by Nina Falcos
Recuerdos - Johnny Richards; Adapted by Fred Stride
Lonely Street - Sammy Nestico
Firstborn - Dean Sorenson
Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock; Arr. Mike Kamuf

Monday, November 14, 2011 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 1 - Robson Square - noon

Quietude - Thad Jones
All Heart - Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn
Dr. Bob - Dave Zoller
Artistry in Rhythm - Stan Kenton
Malaguena - Ernesto Lecuona arranged by Bill Holman
Young Blood - Gerry Muligan
Willow Weep For Me - Ann Ronell - arranged by Bill Mathieu
Splanky - Neal Hefti

'Thursday, December 1, 2011 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 1 - UBC Recital Hall [Roy Barnett Hall] - 12:00pm

Stan Kenton: A Centennial Celebration

The program to be chosen from the following:

El Congo Valiente - Johnny Richards
Portrait of a Count - Bill Russo
What’s New? - arranged by Bill Holman
Three Thoughts - Dee Barton
Decoupage - Hank Levy
Intermission Riff - Ray Wetzel
Improvisation - Bill Russo
Artistry in Rhythm - Stan Kenton
Machito - Pete Rugolo
Willow Weep For Me - arranged by Bill Mathieu
Malaguena - arranged by Bill Holman
Young Blood - Gerry Mulligan
Opus In Pastels - Stan Kenton

Monday, December 5, 2011 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 1; UBC Jazz Ensemble 2 - UBC Recital Hall [Roy Barnett Hall] - 8:00pm

Stan Kenton: A Centennial Celebration

The program to be chosen from the following:

El Congo Valiente - Johnny Richards
Portrait of a Count - Bill Russo
*Modern Opus - Bob Graettinger
What’s New? - arranged by Bill Holman
Three Thoughts - Dee Barton
*Artemis and Apollo - Johnny Richards
*Rise and Fall of a Short Fugue - Bob Curnow
Decoupage - Hank Levy
Intermission Riff - Ray Wetzel
But Beautiful - arranged by Lennie Niehaus
Improvisation - Bill Russo
Artistry in Rhythm - Stan Kenton
Machito - Pete Rugolo
Willow Weep For Me - arranged by Bill Mathieu
Malaguena - arranged by Bill Holman
Young Blood - Gerry Mulligan
Opus In Pastels - Stan Kenton
*Fugue for Rhythm Section - Pete Rugolo
*Bags - Bill Holman
Elegy for Alto - Pete Rugolo
*Kingfish - Bill Holman
The Blues Story - Gene Roland
Recuerdos - Johnny Richards
Whatever Lola Wants - arranged by Lennie Niehaus
*Unison Riff - Pete Rugolo
Reed Rapture [aka Reed Rhapsody] - Stan Kenton
Southern Scandal - Stan Kenton

*These titles were prepared but not performed

Friday, February 17, 2012 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 1 - UBC Recital Hall [Roy Barnett Hall] - 12:00pm

Be Bop Charlie - Bob Florence
Blue Cellophane - Duke Ellington
The Star-Crossed Lovers - Billy Strayhorn
Travelogue - Fred Stride
Ho Hum - Bob Brookmeyer
Elegy - Bob Brookmeyer
Bodysnatchers - Radiohead - arranged by Fred Sturm

Thursday, March 22, 2011 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 2 - UBC Recital Hall [Roy Barnett Hall] - 12:00pm

Black Nightgown - Johnny Mandel
Chronometry - Fred Sturm
A Time For Love - Johnny Mandel - arranged by Hank Levy
Mr Casual - Les Hooper
A New Day - Sammy Nestico
Hip 'N Cool - Les Hooper
Kissing Bug - Billy Strayhorn - arranged by Bill Holman
Hanky Panky - Bob Mintzer
Skintone - Les Hooper

Saturday, March 24, 2012 - Moberly Arts Center Big Band Festival at the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre - 12:00pm - 10:00pm

UBC Jazz Ensemble 1
UBC Jazz Ensemble 2
Capilano University "A" Band
Capilano University 6:00 Band
Capilano University C-Band
Vancouver Community College Jazz Orchestra
Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Thursday, March 30, 2012 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 1 - UBC Recital Hall [Roy Barnett Hall] - 12:00pm

Self Help Is Needed - Oliver Nelson
In The Beginning - Clare Fischer
Blue Sun Rising - Paul Lee
Rippin' And Runnin' - Gordon Goodwin
Nose Cone - Al Cohn
The Eighth Veil - Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington
Get Well Soon - Bob Brookmeyer

Wednesday, April 4, 2011 - UBC Jazz Ensemble 1 and UBC Jazz Ensemble 2 - The Cellar - 8:00pm

Celebrate the end of the school year with both UBC Jazz Ensembles. A fun night of big band jazz and great food.

Oddly Enough - performed by the UBC Jazz Ensemble 1, 2004.

For more ensemble recordings please visit Media and Downloads.

For Concert dates, click here
to go to our Events Calendar.