Jazz Studies
The Arkansas State University Jazz Band is one of the University's many strong and diverse ensembles. The band performs the full gamut of jazz literature from dance hits of the 1920s to World Music and Jazz fusion written by today’s most cutting edge composers the strength of the Jazz Band always shows in performance.
The first ASU jazz Band was formed by Bill Bell, and ASU student with a wealth of jazz experience he had gained as a member of the military and as a professional musician. Even though the students who participated did not receive credit for their participation and were even responsible for securing their own music, their love of jazz and the leadership of Mr. Bell came together to create the blueprint for the band that performs today.
Although today’s ASU Jazz band is offered for credit, it is still the students' love of jazz that forms the blueprint for the ensemble. The band even continues to play some of the music that was a part of early ensembles. Currently under the direction of Dr. E Ron Horton the band takes advantage of its rich heritage while moving forward and offering courses in jazz education. Students interested in jazz at ASU have the opportunity to become members of one of two jazz ensembles, as well as small groups that perform throughout the region. In addition students have the opportunity to study jazz improvisation in private lessons. These lessons cover jazz ear training as well as piano techniques. Students interested in jazz can also take ASU’s Jazz History course and advanced music students can also study jazz at the graduate level.
In addition to regular class and concert the ASU jazz band has hosted a variety of artists including Jon Faddis, Bobby Shew, Mike Steinel, Buddy Collette, and the New Orleans Jazz Ramblers. These factors and many more make ASU one of the most exciting places around to study and perform jazz.
ASU Jazz Festival - Saturday, April 26, 2008
The second annual Arkansas State University Jazz Festival will be held on April 26, 2008. ASU would like to invite jazz bands at all levels to participate in this opportunity to be adjudicated, either competitively or in the non-competitive class, by some of the region’s top jazz performers and educators. For information please contact Dr. E Ron Horton, ASU’s director of Jazz Studies, at 870-972-2799 or email at rhorton@astate.edu.
Those who attended last year got the opportunity to perform in Riceland hall, attend a jazz improvisation clinic held by University of North Texas Professor Michael Steinel, and attend a concert hosted by the Arkansas State University Jazz band.
This year promises to be even better. Our featured
artist and clinician is saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer,
arranger, and educator Mike Tomaro. Tomaro is a nationally known artist and
is the director of jazz studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. Tomaro earned his B. S. degree in music education from
Duquesne University and received his M. A. degree in performance from George
Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. A former member of the Army Blues
jazz ensemble, he is a Yamaha performing artist.
Tomaro has released numerous albums on the Seabreaze and Positive music
labels. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by such jazz
greats as Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Ernie Watts, Ed Soph, Bobby Shew, New
York Voices, Al Vizzutti, and many more. Over fifty of his compositions and
arrangements have been published by Doug Beach Music, Hal Leonard
Publications, and Walrus Music.
As a performer Tomaro has worked with such diverse artists and groups as
Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Mathis, Bernadette
Peters, Terence Blanchard, the Dizzy Gillespie Tribute Big Band, and the
Woody Herman Orchestra. In addition to leading his own band, he has
performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and
the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.
For information please contact Dr. E Ron Horton, ASU’s director of Jazz
Studies, at 870-972-2799 or email at
rhorton@astate.edu.
