Jazz Ensembles

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Jazz Ensembles are open to all UW Oshkosh students regardless of major. Auditions are held for all positions in the two jazz big bands at the beginning of each semester. Several jazz combos also meet regularly every semester, with regular campus coffeehouse gigs and late-night jam sessions a staple of UWO campus life.

Fall 2020 Covid Updates for Jazz

• Jazz Ensembles at UWO WILL REHEARSE and perform this fall!
• Students who play piano, guitar, bass, and drums will wear facemasks during every rehearsal/performance.
• Students who play saxophone, trumpet, and trombone will wear facemasks when not actively playing.
  Please consider purchasing an overlapping facemask (with hole for mouthpieces) to make this easier.
• Brass players will be required to always have bell-covers. Please purchase those ASAP.
  For assistance, please contact your applied instructors or ask Marty Robinson at robinsm@uwosh.edu
• Brass players will also be required to have moisture collecting towels or pads.
• All students will be spaced out (between 6-12 feet) depending on the instrument type.

Fall 2020 Audition Information

• General Audition information can be found HERE. Please review this sheet before moving to the next items below.
• Complete this Info Sheet by Friday, September 11th, at 4:00 p.m.
• All auditions will be submitted online at Flipgrid by Friday, September 11th, at 4:00 p.m.
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Drums
• For any and all questions, please contact Marty Robinson at robinsm@uwosh.edu

Rehearsal Schedule

Jazz Ensemble – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 3:00 – 4:00

Jazz Lab Band – Monday, Wednesday, from 3:00 – 4:00

Jazz Ensemble

The UWO Jazz Ensemble, directed by Marty Robinson, is the premiere jazz group and rehearses four times weekly and performs a minimum of two major concerts on campus each semester as well as occasional off-campus special events. In addition, the jazz ensemble travels to national jazz festivals and often tours regionally to high schools around Wisconsin. Several nationally known guest artists have appeared and/or worked with the UWO Jazz Ensemble in recent years:

Trumpet:
Scotty Barnhart, Derrick Gardner, Clay Jenkins, John McNeil, Valery Ponomarev, Bobby Shew, Byron Stripling

Saxophone:
David Bixler, Tom Gullion, Jim Snidero, Tom Washatka

Trombone:
Tom Garling, Andy Martin, Dean Sorenson

Rhythm Section:
Carl Allen, drums
Avishai Cohen, bass
Richard Davis, bass
John Harmon, piano
Mary Louise Knutson, piano
Dennis Mackrel, drums
Ted Piltzecker, vibraphone
Joey Alexander, piano
Russell Hall, bass
Mark Whitfield, Jr., drums

Guest Vocalists:
Bryan Anthony
Erin Krebs
Steve March-Torme
Janet Planet

Jazz Lab Band

The UWO Jazz Lab Band, directed by Gordon Lewis, performs its own concerts every semester and is a great opportunity for underclassmen and music education students, in particular, to get a jazz big band experience. Music in both big bands is chosen to represent the diversity of the jazz area and includes the numerous styles and eras that help define “America’s musical art form.” Improvisation, an essential element of jazz, is strongly encouraged by all members of the ensemble though is not required for participation.