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 seven 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

Jason Covey, trumpet
Randy Hunter, saxophone
Dave Frackenpohl, guitar
Ramon Pooser, bass
Justin Varnes, drums

Ensembles

Emory Big Band | Emory Jazz Combos

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.

Recent artists-in-residence include:

Dave Brubeck
Joe Lovano
Jon Faddis
Eddie Daniels
Wessell Anderson
Peter Siers
Paul Keller
Phillip Harper
Jon Hendricks
Kenny Barron
Benny Golson
David Sanchez
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
• 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 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.

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

Master Classes
• Perspectives on Performance (POP) classes give students an opportunity to perform for fellow
   students and also receive mentoring form 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 (combo) rehearsals will be held in the jazz studio, a state-of-the art teaching
   facility. This facility will be completed in fall 2008.

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 more information on the Emory Jazz Studies Program, contact

Gary Motley, Director of Jazz Studies
Emory University
1804 North Decatur Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
Phone: 404-727-1068
Fax: 404-727-0074
Email: gmotley@emory.edu