Jazz has been on campus at Saint Mary's since the mid-1950's when the locally famous big band known as the Marynotes was formed by students. Today, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Workshop Combos and Jazz Combo I are a regular part of the curriculum. Jazz concerts are presented each semester both on and off campus featuring noted professional jazz artists who work with the students. Some of the recording artists who have worked with SMU students include: The Mingus Band, Dave Liebman, Ernie Watts, Bill Watrous, Garry Dial,, Dick Oatts, Steve Slagle, Art Lande, Paul McCandless and Dean Sorenson. New York trumpeter Eddie Allen will be our featured artist and clinician in April 2006.
The SMU Jazz Ensemble or big band, performs charts from various periods of jazz history with an emphasis on arrangements of works that have become standards in the jazz repertoire. Works by contemporary jazz composers are also included in our performances and students are encouraged to develop improvisational skills in this group as well as in combos. The group rehearses once each week and one credit may be earned for participation. In addition to music majors, the Jazz Ensemble attracts a wide range of students from general studies representing many diverse academic programs at Saint Mary's University. The group has toured extensively and performed numerous times at regional festivals like with the Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festival in Elmhurst, IL, and the University of WI Jazz Festivals in Eau Claire The SMU Jazz Ensemble has also received recognition for excellence at the University of Minnesota Jazz Festival in Mpls. The group is open to all interested students by audition.
