Program Information

The Jazz Studies Program at Emory is a comprehensive program with courses in improvisation, history, private instruction and large and small ensemble performance. Our mission is to educate students about the rich tradition of American jazz while providing insight into the creative process through performance and analysis.

Our program is comprised of artist-educators whose backgrounds provide a wealth of industry experience and expertise. Our jazz students are a mix of undergraduates and graduates spanning the liberal arts. Students have the opportunity to develop their performance skills through the study of classic repertory in our smaller ensembles while the big band focuses on essential traditional literature of the past and present.

The Jazz Focus

The Jazz Focus is designed to give students a solid foundation in the tradition and common practices of the jazz genre. Our curriculum includes instruction in jazz history, improvisation, theory and analysis and arranging. Click here for more information about the jazz focus curriculum.

Faculty

Gary Motley, Director of Jazz Studies, piano
Dwight Andrews, Associate Professor of Jazz Studies, Jazz History

Jazz Artist Affiliates

Justin Chesarek, percussion
Jason Covey, trumpet
Dave Frackenpohl, guitar
Randy Hunter, saxophone
Ramon Pooser, bass

Ensembles

Emory Big Band | Emory Jazz Combos | Auditions

Jazz at Emory

The Emory Jazz Studies program currently serves over forty Emory students. These students are provided with instruction in jazz history, performance and literature. Our ensembles serve as the basis for the development of performance skills in the jazz genre while our history, theory and improvisation classes provide a solid foundation in the fundamental principles and literature of traditional American jazz. This experience is complemented with quality private instruction by Emory faculty and outstanding industry affiliates from the Atlanta community. Further, our program is enhanced by the ongoing establishment of partnerships with many of the industry’s top jazz artists and educators through our concert and lecture series. Held in early February, the Emory Jazz Festival regularly hosts nationally recognized musicians and features stellar performances by the Emory Big Band. All visiting artists interact with students through master classes and courses within the jazz curriculum.

Past artists-in-residence include:

Wessell Anderson
Kenny Barron
Carmen Bradford
Dave Brubeck
Eddie Daniels
Jon Faddis
Benny Golson
Phillip Harper
Jon Hendricks
Ali Jackson
Paul Keller
Joe Lovano
Russell Malone
David Sanchez
Peter Siers
Turtle Island String Quartet
The Yellow Jackets

Jazz Program Features

Large and Small Ensemble Performance
All ensembles perform in concert each semester.

Jazz Faculty and Artist Affiliates
Our program is comprised of Atlanta-based industry professionals, including performers, recording artists, composers and arrangers.

Small Class Sizes
Jazz program enrollment is audition-based, allowing for individualized instruction.

Campus Location
Emory is located 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, convenient to restaurants, hotels, arts facilities and parks. Its location offers easy access to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and a nearby MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) station provides convenient transportation around the city.

Campus Profile
The University is recognized internationally for its outstanding liberal arts college, superb
professional schools, and one of the leading health care systems in the Southeast. Click here or more information.

Performance Opportunities
All ensembles regularly perform as a part of the concert season as well as the Emory Jazz Festival and other campus events.

Emory Jazz Festival
Each February the Emory Jazz Studies Program hosts the annual Emory Jazz Festival. The festival features nationally recognized artists and performers in concert. Students have an opportunity to interact with the performers through clinics and master classes.

Private Instruction
All jazz majors have private instrument study options with our jazz artist affiliates.

Master Classes
Perspectives on Performance (POP) classes give students an opportunity to perform for fellow students and receive mentoring from artists-in-residence.

Campus Music Facilities
The Schwartz Center for Performing Arts is the premier performance venue for the Emory Music Department. The center houses Emerson Concert Hall, an 800-seat auditorium with digital audio and video capabilities. All student concert performances are archived. Click here for more information.

Jazz Studio
Small ensemble rehearsals are held in the jazz studio, a state-of-the art interactive teaching facility.

Media Library
The Heilbrun Music and Media Library holds a large jazz album, CD and video collection, as well as numerous books, periodical and reference collections relating to jazz. More…

Jazz Studies Curriculum

The Jazz Studies curriculum offers comprehensive coursework in jazz improvisation, history, theory and analysis and arranging. Courses include:

For additional information about the Emory Jazz Studies Program, contact:

Gary Motley
Director of Jazz Studies
Emory University
Department of Music
1804 N. Decatur Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30322

(404) 727-1068
Email: gmotley@emory.edu