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.”

ENSEMBLES

• Mason Jazz Ensemble
• Jazz Workshop
• Afro-Cuban Ensemble
• Combos
• Jazz Vocal Ensemble
• Steel Pan Ensemble
• Traditional Jazz Ensemble

Fall 2017 Jazz Ensemble Auditions (current Mason students) 

• Instrumental Audition Piece:  Just Friends
• 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 or CD player.
• 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 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.

CONCERTS – Fall 2017

• Wade Beach – Piano, Combos
• Regan Brough – Jazz Bass
• Jim Carroll – Mason Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Improvisation, Topics in Jazz
• Glenn Dewey – Double Bass, Electric Bass
• Dr. Matt Niess – Trombone, National Jazz Workshop
• 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 – Percussion
• Rick Whitehead – Guitar

HANDBOOK & RECITALS

• Mason Jazz Handbook
• Mason Jazz – Recital Guidelines

NEWS

The National Jazz Workshop at Mason 2017 was an incredible week of education and performances! To learn more about the NJW, visit www.nationaljazzworkshop.org.

2018, we hosted two new events, the Mason Vocal Jazz Festival with the New York Voices and the Mason High School Jazz Artist Competition! The Mason Vocal Jazz Festival 2018 is on the books with guest artist/clinicians, Rosana Eckert and Greg Jasperse! Stay tuned for competition information!

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Swing features the Mason Jazz Ensemble (Jim Carroll), Mason Jazz Combo I (Wade Beach), Afro-Cuban Ensemble (Joe McCarthy), Traditional Jazz Ensemble (Dave Robinson), Steel Pan Ensemble (Victor Provost) and the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble (Darden Purcell).  Recorded by CFA Audio Engineer, Billy Kessinger, eighty-six students participated in this project. Purchase at www.cdbaby.com/cd/masonjazz, iTunes, Amazon or e-mail: dpurcel2@gmu.edu. Proceeds benefit the GMU Jazz Foundation for scholarships, internships, trips and future recordings.

The Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble was awarded “Outstanding Ensemble” at the Kansas City Jazz Summit, April 2016, hosted by John Stafford at KCKCC. Two ensembles were awarded and we are thrilled for this honor. “Outstanding Musicianship” awards were also given to Kyra Larson, Sarah Moyers, Huy Ngo and Khanh Ngo.