THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE 1 semester-end concert: “Embracing the Extraordinary” with special guests:

1) Allen Vizzuttii: Trumpet

http://www.vizzutti.com/

2) Eileen Laverty: Singer/Song Writer

http://www.eileenlaverty.com/

3) Saskatoon French Horn Choir

Concert Date: Saturday November 24, 2012

Location: Elim Tabernacle Church (419 Slimmon Road, Saskatoon)

Show time: 7:30 PM

Tickets: $5 students & Seniors/$10 Adults

Tickets available at the door or on line through Persephone Theatre’s e-box office (http://www.persephonetheatre.org)

For more information contact UofS Jazz Ensemble Director Dean McNeill at dean.mcneill@usask.ca or visit:

http://www.usask.ca/music/ensembles/jazzens.html

 

Since Dean McNeill began directing the University of Saskatchewan Jazz Ensemble in 1998, this group has performed throughout Western Canada and recorded five compact disks in their Bumper Crop CD series. Featured guest artists have included Dr. Craig Brenan, Mark DeJong, Gordon Foote (McGill University), Greg Gatien (Brandon University), Dan Haerle (University of North Texas), Steve Haines (Miles Davis Institute, Greensborough), Mike Herriott, Jens Lindemann (U.C.L.A.), Joe Luloff (North Western University), Brian O’Kane, Billy Proutin (Keyano College), David Renter (University of Lethbridge), Dave Robbins, Campbell Ryga (Juno Award Winner), Rob Sommervillie, Brad Turner (Juno Award Winner), Paul Tyanan (St. FX University), Ross Ulmer, Mike Vax, Andre´ White (McGill University), and Bret Zvacek (Crane School of Music, SUNY-Potsdam). The ensemble has also worked in clinics with the likes of Jon Ballantyne (two-time Juno award winner), Hugh Fraser (Juno Award winner), and Slide Hampton plus many of the above guest artists. This group has twice performed in Edmonton’s acclaimed Winspear concert hall at the Cantando Music Festival and in of January 2009, the group toured Montreal visiting McGill University as an invited Student-Ensemble-In-Residence at the Schulich School of Music.

The UofS Jazz Ensemble’s five Bumper Crop CDs have included include: 1) Bumper Crop (released in 2001), 2) Bumper Crop II-Outstanding in their Fields (2003), 3) Bumper Crop III-Prairie Rhythms(2005), 4) Bumper Crop IV-Perceptions (2007), and Bumper Crop V-Water Colors (2010).

Bumper Crop V was released at the jazz ensembles first-ever jazz reunion concert.
Bumper Crop IV features UofS student composer Paul Suchan and guest artist Drummer/Dancer Joseph Ashong as well as many students within the ensemble. Bumper Crop IIIfeatures all-Canadian talent (performers and arrangers alike), two guest artists (i.e. UofS Sessional instructor Mark DeJong-Saxophone and Saskatchewan based musician Ross Ulmer-Trombone), and, original compositions by ensemble director Dean McNeill.

All these CD projects serve to archive the ensemble’s performance activity as well as to raise funds for the jazz area in the Department of Music and to promote the department, college, and university. To purchase one of these CDs or for more information about this ensemble visit http://www.usask.ca/music/ or contact Dean McNeill at 966-6169 (dean.mcneill@usask.ca)

 

 

Kenderdine Jazz Retreat

August 6-11, 2012: Thirty-one aspiring and mid career Canadian musicians met the UofS Kenderdine Campus at Emma Lake (http://www.emmalake.usask.ca/) for an intensive jazz retreat to discuss jazz composition and performance from a variety of perspectives. Activities included lectures from selected participants (e.g. MacEwan University Music head Allan Gilliand, UofT Emeritus Professor Paul Read, Canadian guitar sensation Mike Rud, two time Juno award winner pianist David Braid, Canadian drum sensation Jon McCaslin, UofS Prof. of Brass/Jazz Dean McNeill), large and small ensemble rehearsals and performances (i.e. of new works), and jam sessions. A lot of wonderful music was displayed, discussed, and ruminated upon. This is the second time the UofS has hosted a jazz retreat of this kind at its Emma Lake Kenderdine campus. For more information about this retreat or for information about future such retreats contact Jazz Composer's and Performers Retreat Artistic Administrator Dean McNeill at dean.mcneill@usask.ca. The UofS gratefully acknowledges the support of the Saskatchewan Band Association, Sask Culture, Sask Lotteries, and Yamaha Piano Centre & Roger and Marie Jolly.

 

The UofS Department of Music offers an 18 credit unit minor in Jazz Studies. Related courses include Jazz Materials (jazz theory), Jazz Improvisation, Jazz History, Jazz Pedagogy, Jazz Arranging, African Drumming, and Jazz Ensemble.

Course descriptions:

Jazz Ensemble 1 & 2 (either as a zero credit unit or 1 credit unit option): Jazz Ensemble 1 performs traditional and contemporary repertoire including student compositions. This ensemble has released 4 CDs and performs throughout western Canada. Jazz Ensemble 2 performs at the end of each semester along side Jazz Ensemble 1 at Saskatoon’s jazz venue the Bassment. Audition is required for both ensembles (first day of classes, each semester).

Jazz Materials (MUS 184.3): This 100-level course is the prerequisite for Jazz Arranging (MUS 386.3), Jazz Pedagogy (EMUS 337.3), and Jazz Improvisation (MUS 283.3). It is also the suggested pre or co-requisite for Jazz Ensemble 1 and Jazz Ensemble 2. This course introduces students to jazz theory, jazz keyboard skills, jazz ear training, and transcribing skills.

Jazz Improvisation (MUS 283.3): This course focuses on musical skills pertaining to the performance of jazz improvisation. This course assumes little pre-existing knowledge of jazz improvisation, but does presume a significant level of instrumental proficiency. Prerequisite: Jazz Materials (MUSIC 184.3).

Jazz History Survey (MUS 285.3): This course studies the history of the jazz tradition from its origins to the present. Chronologically organized, this course examines the musical environment in the southern United States at the turn of the 19th century then proceeds through the musical styles of ragtime, traditional jazz, stride piano, swing, bebop, post bop, cool jazz, west coast jazz, fusion, funk, R & B, and contemporary jazz. Prerequisite: The successful completion of 24 credit units at the UofS or by permission of the Department.

Jazz Pedagogy (EMUS 337.3) Previously entitled Jazz Ensemble Techniques this course explores the diverse area of jazz pedagogy as taught within a secondary school music program. An excellent addition to any music educator’s résumé. Prerequisites: Jazz Materials (MUS 184.3).

Jazz Arranging (MUS 386.3) In introduction to jazz arranging, this course develops student’s jazz composition and arranging skill set. Topics include the study of advanced chord/scale relationships, ensemble orchestration techniques for large and small jazz ensembles, and the topical score study of specific jazz composers. Prerequisite: Jazz Materials (MUSIC 183.3).

West African Drumming (MUS 298.3-Special Topics): Strongly linked to folklore, myth and proverb this course examines (through performance practice) some of the many musical and culturally-related traditions from west African. There are no prerequisites for this course however registration through permission of the department is required.

For more information regarding any aspect of the jazz offerings, contact jazz area chair Dean McNeill dean.mcneill@usask.ca.

You can listen to the Jazz Ensemble by clicking here.

Click here to order any of the Jazz Ensemble CD's - Order CD

Do you want to see more photos of the Jazz Ensemlbe? Click here.

 

Prof. Raymon Vasquez sitting in with the band during rehearsal.