CU Jazz

In addition to a long-standing tradition of excellence in jazz studies and performance, Cornell University boasts the largest Ivy League jazz program. Our expert faculty of performer-pedagogues and internationally recognized guest artists work closely with both graduates and undergraduates from all disciplines. This creates a rich socio-academic experience by providing a place to learn, explore, and grow.

Alumni of the program perform in the jazz-centric scenes of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Los Angeles and teach jazz and popular music at universities all over the world. Countless others excel in STEM or the humanities and continue to perform at a high level throughout their professional careers. This is the goal of the jazz program at Cornell. Participants seek expert musicianship, lifelong enjoyment, and the skills to creatively face any obstacle. They are lifelong learners of great art. Get ready, practice hard, and prepare for a remarkable year!

CU Jazz Ensemble

Jazz Ensembles

MUSIC 4615 Jazz Ensemble

Performance of classic, modern, and contemporary large ensemble literature. The group has commissioned works from Jim McNeely, Rufus Reid, and Paul Smoker and has performed with such jazz masters as the late Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Henderson, Barry Harris, and James Moody. Recent guest artists include Gerald Clayton, Camille Thurman, Maria Schneider, Joshua Redman, Peter Bernstein, and Wynton Marsalis. In addition to a focus on musicianship, sight reading, and ensemble work, there is a significant emphasis on the cultural and historical roots of the musicians studied and music performed. Audition Required.

MUSIC 4616 Jazz Combos

Repertoire reflects the diverse interests and pedagogical needs of the musicians enrolled. Combo sections may focus on classic artist like Ella Fitzgerald, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, and Weather Report or concentrate on a particular aesthetic or tradition. In all cases, students contribute by composing, writing, transcribing, and selecting pieces to study. This helps create a rich collaborative environment that is overseen by weekly coaching sessions. Audition Required.

MUSIC 3609 Brazilian Ensemble

Deixa Sambar performs several styles of samba, Brazil's national music. Members need not have prior background in music-making, but a good sense of rhythm is desirable. Members include students as well as Ithaca community members, brasileiros as well as newcomers to Brazilian culture. Rehearsals develop playing skills, with a deep emphasis on cultural understanding of this vital, community-based music.

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MUSIC 3660 Music Improvisation Ensemble

The Music Improvisation Ensemble provides students with the opportunity to explore the elements of music from an improviser's perspective. Each session will focus on a different area of improvisation, including noise, graphic scores, conducted improvisation, free music, small and large group improvisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration with dance and film. This ensemble is open to any level of musician. An audition is required at the beginning of the semester simply as a means of introduction. Informal Audition.

Student Org: The Original Cornell Syncopators

Founded by Colin Hancock ('19) in 2016, the Original Cornell Syncopators were formed to explore the music of the Original Dixieland Jass Band for a concert celebrating the 100th-year anniversary of their first recording. It has since grown into a larger ensemble, one that performs both sweet and hot music from the late 1910s to the mid-1930s. The group's adviser, Professor Robbert van Renesse as an original member and continues to play banjo. The Syncopators are a professionally motivated student-run ensemble that has performed in San Diego, Rochester, Philadelphia, and New York and hosted master classes with Wynton Marsalis, the Hot Toddies Jazz Band, and Mike Davis. Their recordings, "Live at the Triad," "Wild Jazz" and "Collegiate" are available on all major streaming platforms. Membership by audition.

Student Org: Neo-Soul Ensemble

The Neo-Soul Ensemble is a pop, R&B, and Neo-soul band that plays originals and covers from a wide variety of artists. Originally founded in 2009 by Tony Craddock Jr. ('10) and Clayton Henry ('12) as a smooth jazz group, the ensemble has evolved through several genres with a focus on staying at the forefront of modern music while consistently drawing influence from jazz. The artistic goals of the band often shift to best serve the personal tastes and backgrounds of the talented rotation of members. The student-led Neo-Soul Ensemble has enjoyed a wide range of performance experiences, from intimate, jam-packed performances around Ithaca to opening Cornell's Slope Day. Recently, they won recognition for outstanding performance in the Blues/Pop/Rock Group category of the Downbeat Student Music Awards. Advised by Paul Merrill. Membership by audition.

Jazz +

Jazz+ is a student organization dedicated to the appreciation and performance of jazz music and more. While many members of the club participate in department jazz ensembles, Jazz+ is open to everyone. Officers coordinate a weekly jam session at Bethe House, social events, masterclasses, and performances by guest artists. The org manages a gig referral service for student ensembles. By watching a video and completing a quiz on reservation and borrowing policies, members can gain access to the jazz equipment closet for gigs, rehearsals and personal practice.

Keep an eye on the jazz events calendar for upcoming Jazz+ events

Questions? Contact jazzplus@cornell.edu

Auditions

The Cornell University Jazz program provides those who are sincerely interested in the art of improvisation the opportunity to explore history, composition, arranging, and craft through performance and scholarship.

Important dates

Trumpets and trombones
Sunday, August 25, 4:30-5:30 pm Lincoln Hall B20

All saxophones
Sunday, August 25, 6:00-8:00 pm Lincoln Hall B21

Piano, guitar, bass, drumset, percussion, and vibes
Sunday, August 25, 8:30-10:30 pm Lincoln Hall B21

Vocalists
Upload a recording of a jazz standard on or before August 25th. Submit the video here. Call backs are with a live band the first or second week of classes.

“Non-traditional” instrumentalist (flute, horn, violin, harp, tabla, etc.) or students who prefer a one-on-one audition by appointment on or before 8/25. Contact director Paul Merrill for an appointment as soon as possible.

Audition requirements for Individual Instruction are identical to the ensemble audition. If you are interested in studying with a faculty member one-on-one, please attend the ensemble audition or contact the director Paul Merrill for a private audition time.

Audition Requirements for Pitched Instruments

All Major scales
Prepared tune: ''Bouncing with Bud " by Bud Powell and Gil Fuller
Sight-reading

Additional Requirements for Jazz Combo

Improvise a solo: ''Bouncing with Bud " by Bud Powell and Gil Fuller

Audition Requirements for Drumset

Sight-read a big band chart
Prepared tune: ''Bouncing with Bud " by Bud Powell and Gil Fuller
Trade fours
Demonstrate a knowledge of swing, shuffle, bossa nova/samba, mambo/cha cha cha, and pocket styles

Tips, Information, and Advice

Bring a smart phone or laptop. Arrive early, find a practice room, warm up, and prepare to stay for the entire time allotted for your section. The prepared melody is performed without accompaniment and the sight-reading portion will take place as a mock “rehearsal” with other auditionees. Focus on rhythmic accuracy, intonation, and style, and make sure to play through mistakes. Stay light-hearted, be focused, and have fun. Study this recording of Bouncing with Bud along with other renditions by Powell and other jazz masters.

Scheduling

If you are interested in Music 4616 (Jazz Combo) please bring a copy of your academic schedule
to auditions. Student availability can sometimes determine participation so be prepared to list
as many open blocks of time as possible.

Lessons

The music lesson program offers students the opportunity to pursue collegiate level individual instruction with one of our full faculty, visiting lecturers or graduate student instructors.

Learn more about eligibility and instructors, fees and auditions.