2010-02-22 Trombonist Luis Bonilla joins NEC jazz faculty Read more.
NEC’s Jazz Studies faculty teach the art of jazz improvisation with an emphasis on individual creativity and group interaction in small ensemble performance.
Rather than learning a single "correct" way to play, you are encouraged to explore the myriad possibilities in jazz, to discover your own original voice, through a rigorous program of ear training, analysis, and historical study. Jazz is broadly defined at NEC and experimentation is encouraged. At the same time, it is essential that you master the jazz traditions of swing, melodic improvisation on tonal forms, and instrumental technique and expression in order to be a competent professional who can extend those traditions and function in a variety of musical settings.
As a Jazz Composition major, you work closely with a studio teacher in private lessons and have many opportunities to have your music read, performed, and recorded by large and small jazz composers’ ensembles.
Your experience as a jazz major at NEC will extend beyond the classroom with numerous opportunities to be part of the Boston jazz scene. Clubs like the Lily Pad, Western Front, and Lizard Lounge regularly host NEC jazz groups. Art galleries like Artist at Large Gallery double as open improvisational music spaces that often feature NEC faculty, alumni, and students.
Curriculum sampler
- Development of Long-Term Melodic Memory
— Ran Blake - Introduction to Jazz Improvisation and Ear Training
— Hankus Netsky - Development of Long-Term Harmonic Memory and Development of Personal Style
— Ran Blake, Hankus Netsky - Jazz Repertoire and Jazz Theory
— John McNeil - Development of Rhythmic Skills
— Michael Cain - Jazz Vocal Traditions
— Dominique Eade - Lydian Chromatic Concepts
— Ben Schwendener - Film Noir
— Ran Blake - Jazz Composition and Arranging , Topics in Jazz Theory and Analysis
— Ken Schaphorst - Jazz Styles: Free Jazz and the Avant-Garde
— Allan Chase - Jazz Composition for Performers
— Frank Carlberg - Jazz Ear Training
— George Garzone - Intervallic Improvisation, Melodic Rhythm and Graduate Improvisation Seminar
— Jerry Bergonzi
Some well-known NEC alumni in the jazz field
Bruce Barth, Regina Carter, Freddy Cole, Marilyn Crispell, Marty Ehrlich, Ricky Ford, Satoko Fujii, Jerome Harris, Fred Hersch, Roger Kellaway, Mat Maneri, Harvey Mason, Andy McGhee, Bill McHenry, John Medeski, Vaughn Monroe, Michael Moore, Hankus Netsky, Jamie Saft, George Schuller, Luciana Souza, Chris Speed, Cecil Taylor, Cuong Vu, Phil Wilson, Bo Winiker, Bernie Worrell, Rachel Z
2009-09-21
MILES DAVIS