Welcome to jazz studies!

CSU offers a wide variety of opportunities for students interested in jazz performance, theory, ear training, composition, history and pedagogy. Consult the information bar on the left hand side of this page for more information about courses, faculty and upcoming performances.

News and events

Calling all band directors!!! In April of 2009, the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts will be hosting the first-ever Columbus State Jazz Festival, with special guests the Mingus Big Band. We're looking for high school and middle school Jazz Bands and Combos to perform at this Festival, and be critiqued by an esteemed panel of professional jazz artists, from Georgia and beyond. The Mingus Band performs on the evening of April 3rd, and the school groups will perform during the day on April 4th. Interested? E-mail Dr. Beddage ASAP.

Check out our new videos and pictures from concerts with the Dan Tepfer Trio and Sam Skelton on the Ensembles page. A promotional video for the Jazz Department, including comments from Sam Skelton, can be found below.

Jazz Resources: On reserve in the Music Library:

Books

The Charlie Parker Omnibook (C Instruments)
Keeping Time: Readings in Jazz History (ed. Walser)

Recordings

Box Sets:

The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz (various artists)
The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings of John Coltrane

Big Band:

Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra: Live at the Village Vanguard
Stan Kenton: New Concepts in Artistry in Rhythm
Stan Kenton: West Side Story
Count Basie: The Complete Atomic Basie
Count Basie: Chairman of the Board
Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra: Evanescence
Frank Sinatra with the Count Basie Orchestra: Sinatra at the Sands
Count Basie Orchestra: Basie at the Sands (before Frank)

Small group:

Thelonious Monk: Genius of Modern Music, vol. 1
Thelonious Monk: Monk's Music

Check the blue section to your left for upcoming performances, and look for more details on the Events page.

The CSU Jazz Band rehearsal schedule is now located on the Ensembles page.

CSU Jazz Upcoming Events:

September 26/27: CSU Jazz Residency/Workshop with Dr. Christopher Azzara

September 26, 7:30pm: Chris Azzara Concert, Studio Theatre

December 4: CSU Jazz Band and Workshop, Studio Theatre, 7:30pm

March 25: Faculty Jazz Ensemble, Studio Theatre, 7:30pm

April 3/4: CSU Jazz Festival

April 3rd: Mingus Big Band Pre-concert talk, Studio Theatre, 6:45pm (free admission)

April 3rd, Mingus Big Band concert, Bill Heard Theatre, 7:30pm; for tickets visit the Rivercenter Box Office

April 4th: CSU Jazz Band with guest Melvin Jones (trumpet), Bill Heard Theatre, 1pm

April 4th: The David Brothers Super Big Band, 4pm

May 8th: Spring Swing event (open to Schwob students and faculty only), Studio Theatre, 7pm

For more details, please visit the Upcoming Events Page