where tradition is the foundation
not the end
Listen to the Jazz Ensembles
To sample the jazz ensembles at the college, select one of the pieces from the playlist. The player will automatically move to the next track at the conclusion of the previous track, but will not automatically restart. Adjusting the volume is possible by interacting with the bars in the upper-right of the player.
Guest Artists
Visiting artists are an essential component to the jazz area. Spring semester’s Jazz Week is built around a high-profile guest artist spending several days interacting and performing with the students in a variety of settings. The Jazz Spotlight is a similar event in the fall. Recent guest artists have included Branford Marsalis, Arturo O’Farrill, Rodney Whitaker, Ted Nash, Donny McCaslin, Joel Frahm, and Scott Wendholt.
Jazz Lab Band
The 2009–2010 Jazz Lab Band I
David Bixler, director, jazz lab band I
Rehearsals: TR 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Jeff Halsey, director, jazz lab band II
Rehearsals: TR 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Founded in the early 1960s, the Jazz Lab Bands are the large ensembles of the jazz studies program. The bands regularly appear at jazz festivals including over 20 appearances at the prestigious Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festival. The bands emphasize student learning through repertoire study and improvisation training. The Jazz Lab Bands are open to both music majors and non-majors.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
Founded in 1985 by its director Chris Buzzelli, the group performs a variety of pieces ranging from standard and modern jazz to original music composed specifically for the group by Buzzelli. The ensemble also performs a number of off-campus concerts each year. The ensemble also sponsors appearances by guest artists including jazz guitarists Cal Collins and Tal Farlow. It has made appearances at both the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference and the Ohio Music Education Association Conference.
The Classical Guitar Ensemble has participated in the Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival. Recently, we have aquired a number of alto, bass and contrabass guitars for use in the Classical Guitar Ensemble.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
The 12-voice Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE) performs a variety of music in the vocal jazz tradition: solo and tight-harmony choral music in the style of groups such as The Manhattan Transfer or The Real Group. The ensemble, which includes a rhythm section made up of BGSU students, each year explores a wide variety of musical styles and genres from bebop to show tunes. The group has already enthusiastic response through its performances on campus and at off-campus sites such at the Manor House at Toledo’s Wildwood MetroPark.
Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Chamber jazz or combo experience is vital to the jazz program at BGSU. All groups meet twice a week for rehearsal. One concert is required for each ensemble per semester. Additionally, each group plays in a master class setting giving a mini-concert for their peers and faculty. Additional opportunities exist for gigs and school community concerts.