Louisville, Kentucky sits on the Ohio River in the mid-western part of the United States. The University of Louisville is probably best-known for its basketball teams, but they have quietly been building one of the hotter jazz programs.

Now known as The Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program, there are people like Mike Tracy, Tyrone Wheeler, and John LaBarbera (2005 Grammy-Nominee!) on the faculty. The School of Music is designed specifically to be a school of music, and so there are two wonderful performance halls, two monstrous rehearsal halls for large ensembles, and of course numerous classrooms and small practice rooms with pianos.

The campus of the University is situated just south of downtown Louisville, and so it is a primarily urban setting, with the associated energy and activity.

The University of Louisville School of Music is pleased to announce the establishment of the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program. Through the philanthropic generosity of Mr. Aebersold, who in addition to being one of the leading proponents of jazz education and jazz materials in the world, the School of Music is now poised to have one of the leading jazz studies programs in the nation.

Jazz degrees offered at the School of Music include a Masters Degree in Performance with a Concentration in Jazz and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Emphasis in Jazz Studies. A Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Emphasis in Music Industry is also offered. Scholarship assistance is available for students wishing to focus their study in jazz.

The program features extended residencies by leading jazz artists as well as a continuation of the exciting Jazz Week which features a week long celebration of jazz annually in February with concerts, workshops, and clinics. Jazz Week is an event that regularly features some of the biggest names in the jazz world including Wynton Marsalis, Billy Taylor, Michael Brecker, Clark Terry, Marion McPartland, and McCoy Tyner just to name a few of the recent guest artists. Jazz Week 2003 featured the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Bobby Watson, Marcus Printup, and Hal Miller. Other artists who recently appeared at the School of Music include: The Elvin Jones Jazz Machine, Dave Leibman Quartet, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Marcus Printup, Jerry Bergonzi, Joe La Barbera, Kenny Werner Trio, Jeff Hamilton Trio, Peter Erskine Trio and Wynton Marsalis.

The jazz faculty at U of L includes John LaBarbera, who is an alumnus of the Buddy Rich Band and a national name among active jazz composers and arrangers, as well as a 2005 Grammy Award Nominee; saxophonist, Mike Tracy, who is Director of the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program, Professor of Music and the author of Jazz Piano Voicings for the Non-Pianist and co-author of Pocket Changes and Pocket II; saxophonist and vocalist, Jerry Tolson, who performs regionally with three of his own professional groups including a big band and a contemporary jazz ensemble and is an active composer/arranger as well; and pianist/bassist Chris Fitzgerald, an outstanding performer, composer and educator. Additional faculty include Tyrone Wheeler, adjunct instructor of jazz bass who is known for his work with numerous local and regional groups and can be heard on numerous Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long sets; pianist Jim Connerley, an outstanding performer and educator; and Craig Wagner, an amazing guitarist who is at home playing contemporary and traditional jazz styles. Drummer Jason Tiemann, an exceptional performer with extensive teaching experience, joined our faculty this past year.

For further information regarding the University of Louisville Jazz Studies Program please contact:

Michael A. Tracy, Director
Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program
University of Louisville - School of Music
Louisville, KY 40292
502 852 6032 office
502 852 0520 fax
www.louisville.edu