Jazz Studies

The Mason Jazz Studies Department combines performance, curriculum and service to support House Resolution 57 which states jazz is “hereby designated as a rare and valuable national American treasure.”

DEGREES

Minor
Bachelor of Music
Master of Music
Master of Music, Pedagogy
Doctor of Musical Arts (Email Darden Purcell at dpurcel2@gmu.edu for information)

The Mason Jazz ensembles offer opportunities for improvisation, performance, recording, writing, leadership and service. They have performed at the Shanghai Concert Hall (Beijing, China), Center for the Arts, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Virginia Music Educators Association Conference (VMEA), Blues Alley, Kansas City Jazz Summit, JEN Conference 2014 (Dallas, TX), JENerations Jazz Festival 2017 (New Orleans, LA), JEN Conference 2018 (Dallas, TX) and more. A highpoint of students’ time at George Mason University is Jazz 4 Justice©, an annual concert that combines the Mason Jazz department with local law communities to raise money for the jazz program and public access to justice.

The Mason Jazz Studies department hosts multiple master classes a year for students and jazz community. Artists include Eric Alexander, Peter Erskine, Doc Severinsen, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, Bria Skonberg, Stockton Helbing, and more.

Spring 2020, we are excited to host American composer, Jazz Orchestra leader and multiple Grammy award-winner, Maria Schneider.

Mason Jazz in Brazil! March 2020, Mason Jazz will travel to São Paulo, Brazil for educational outreach events and performances at UNICAMP, Projeto GURI and musical venues. Learn more about this program: Mason Jazz in Brazil

FACULTY

Wade Beach – Piano, Combos
Regan Brough – Jazz Bass
Jim Carroll – Mason Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Improvisation, Topics in Jazz
Glenn Dewey – Double Bass, Electric Bass
Rick Parrell – Saxophone, Jazz Workshop
Xavier Perez – Saxophone
Victor Provost – Steel Pan, Steel Pan Ensemble
Dr. Darden Purcell – Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice, Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble
Dr. Shawn Purcell – Guitar, Jazz Arranging
Kenny Rittenhouse – Trumpet
Dave Robinson – Traditional Jazz Ensemble
Harold Summey – Drum Set
Rick Whitehead – Guitar

ENSEMBLES – *Open to all university students, regardless of major, based on audi**tion*

CONCERTS – Fall 2019

Sunday, AUG 25, 5:30pm: Mason Jazz Welcome Back Party (De Laski 3001) – Dinner, Meet and Greet, Orientation, Faculty Concert and Student Jam. Mandatory for Jazz Majors. Encouraged for those auditioning/playing in jazz ensembles. All are welcome, bring a friend and hang!
Saturday, SEP 28, 5pm: Arts By George (School of Music, De Laski Performing Arts Building) Purchase Tickets
Saturday, OCT 5, 7-11pm: Mason Jazz Guitar Night (Epicure Cafe, cover charge at door TBD, open to the public)
Monday, NOV 4, 8pm: Jazz Combos/Steel Pan Ensemble (De Laski 3001, Free admission, open to the public)
Friday, NOV 8, 8pm: Jazz 4 Justice (Center for the Arts) Purchase Tickets
Wednesday, NOV 13, 8pm: Jazz Workshop (Harris Theatre, Free admission, open to the public)
Monday, NOV 18, 8pm: Jazz Combos/Latin American Ensemble (De Laski 3001, Free admission, open to the public)
Monday, NOV 25, 8pm: Mason Jazz Vocal Night w/ special guests Forest Park High School, Platinum Vocal Jazz (Center for the Arts) Purchase Tickets

DEPARTMENTAL CONCERTS (12:30 – 1:20pm, Harris Theatre, Free and open to the public)

Wednesday, OCT 2: Steel Pan Ensemble (de Laski 3001)
Wednesday, OCT 9: Jazz Voice Studio
Wednesday, OCT 23: Latin American Ensemble
Wednesday, OCT 30: Jazz Combos
Wednesday, NOV 13: Jazz Combos

MASTER CLASSES

Monday, SEP 23, 1:30pm: S tockton Helbing
Date/Time TBD: LADAMA

RECITALS – All recitals are free and open to the public

Monday, OCT 21, 8pm: Juan Megna, DMA percussion (Harris Theatre)
Saturday, NOV 23, 2pm: Tom Mulherin, MM piano
Saturday, DEC 7, 4pm: Eljhaie Brathwaite, Junior steel pan (Choral Room)

JAZZ ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS – Fall 2019 (current Mason students)

Instrumental Piece: There is No Greater Love
Instrumentalists: Play the melody for one chorus and improvise for two choruses. In addition there will be sight-reading on the audition. Please bring your own musical accompaniment/backing track for iPod, Phone or CD player. (Bring adapter if your phone does not have a headphone jack)
Vocalists: Sing one song of your choice (jazz preferred), sight-read a solo musical line and sing a brief tonal melody test. Please bring your own musical accompaniment/backing track for either iPod, Phone or CD player.
Visit the SEATING PLACEMENT AUDITIONS page to sign up for an audition.
If all audition slots are filled, please e-mail Dr. Darden Purcell