HomeJazz Studies Program
Contact: Professor Christopher Collins, Director of Jazz Studies
Office: 1353, Old Main
Phone: (313) 577-1780
E-mail: jazz@wayne.edu
Welcome to Jazz@Wayne!
WSU Music offers a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies and a Master of Music in jazz performance. The jazz program offers graduate assistantships, with stipend. Students can qualify during their audition for talent-based scholarships ranging from full-tuition with first year campus housing to partial scholarships.
With an emphasis on composition, arranging, and improvisation, the WSU jazz program challenges its students in a competitive and rewarding environment in the heart of Detroit’s Midtown Cultural Center. As one of the oldest jazz studies degree programs in the country, Wayne State has played host to a vast array of visiting jazz clinicians, including Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Chick Corea, Walter White, Jon Faddis, Elvin Jones, Steve Houghton, Dave Liebman, Kenny Werner, Fareed Haque, Marvin Stam, and Woody Shaw.
Recent News (click on link to view full Adobe Acrobat PDF press release)
WSU Ensembles To Perform at Orchestra Hall with Artist-in-Residence Eddie Daniels
WSU Jazz Big Band Performs at 2007 Detroit International Jazz Festival With Headliner Kurt Elling
WSU Music and Detroit Jazz Fest Partner
Recent Photos
WSU Jazz Big Band I with Kurt Elling at 2007 Detroit Jazz Festival
Photo credit: Rick Bielaczyc
Jazz Lab I Big Band Jazz Lab II Big Band Jazz Lab III Big Band
Jazztets/Jazz Combos Guitar Ensemble I Guitar Ensemble II
Jazz Lab I Big Band (closed to jazz studies/performance majors only)
Contact: Professor Christopher Collins, Director
Course number: MUA 2820
Credit hours: 1
Rehearsal times: Tuesday, Thursday - 12:50 to 2:40 p.m.
Jazz Lab II Big Band (open to all university students; requires audition)
Contact: Professor Russ Miller, Director
Office: 2310, Old Main
Phone: (313) 577-9467
E-mail: ac5188@wayne.edu
Course number: MUA 2820
Credit hours: 1
Rehearsal times: Tuesday, Thursday - 6 to 7:50 p.m.
Jazz Lab Band II, the second big band, offers its members playing experience and an introduction to jazz literature. Performs on campus twice a year.
Jazz Lab III Big Band (open to all university students and community musicians)
Contact: Ernest Rodgers, Director
E-mail: ad9394@wayne.edu
Course number: MUA 2820
Credit hours: 1
Rehearsal times: Tuesday, Thursday - 3 to 4:50 p.m.
Jazz Band III divides into small ensembles, giving students a chance to work on solo and improvisational skills. Performs on campus twice a year.
Jazztets and Jazz Combos
Contact: Dennis J. Tini, Director
E-mail: aa5272@wayne.edu
Phone: (313) 577-2545
Course number: MUA 2824/7824 (Jazztets) and MUA 2826/7826 (Combos)
Credit hours: 1
Rehearsal times: Days and Times Arranged
While the Faculty Director will organize Jazztets – Jazz Combos personnel and concerts, suggest creative directions, offer guidance and supervise designated graduate students to assist combos, Jazztet – Jazz Combo students are expected to develop their own unique ensemble sound and group concept by fusing the creative, artistic, and technical abilities of the individuals in each small group. Additionally, students are encouraged to explore original compositions, “head charts”, free group improvisation, and unique arrangements of standard jazz repertoire. Students are welcome to consider possible Jazztet collaborators in advance and sign-up as a complete combo, following the professor's approval. Each Jazztet – Jazz Combo will have a designated student leader who will serve as the student liaison between the Jazztet and Faculty Director.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble I
Contact: Steven Carryer, Director
Office: 2368, Old Main
Phone: (313) 577-3268
E-mail: scarryer@wowway.com
Course number: MUA 2820
Credit hours: 1
Rehearsal times: Tuesday, Thursday - 12:50 to 2:40 p.m.
The Wayne State Jazz Guitar Ensembles first began during the winter 1990 semester. Starting with one ensemble and growing to three within a year, the ensembles provide a much needed developmental tool for the students. The first ensemble began using charts from the library that Mr. Carryer wrote and compiled while teaching a guitar ensemble at Oakland University for nearly 15 years. He has continued to expand the library to its current size of over 150 charts in a variety of styles.
In addition to the biannual campus concerts of all three ensembles, Guitar Ensemble I has also performed 4 times at the Aquinas Jazz Festival and performs occasional concerts off campus. They also performed at the Plymouth Music in the Park series and at the International Detroit Jazz Festival.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble II
Contact: Steven Carryer, Director
Office: 2368, Old Main
Phone: (313) 577-3268
E-mail: scarryer@wowway.com
Course number: MUA 2820
Credit hours: 1
Rehearsal times: Tuesday, Thursday - 3 to 4:50 p.m.