The University of North Texas College of Music — headed by John Murphy, Chair of the Division of Jazz Studies — is housed within America’s largest music school. The university was the first in the world to offer a degree program in jazz, and has spawned the careers of numerous top musicians and educators, including a few who lead some of the other school ensembles featured in WBGO’s JAM celebration this year, like NYU’s Dave Pietro and UCT’s Mike Campbell.
As part of our Jazz Appreciation Month series, John Murphy introduces us to a quartet and a large ensemble from his famed program.
Colleen Clark's arrangement of Thelonious Monk’s “Bye-Ya”
This group was formed through Clark's deep admiration of The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall. Her arrangement was inspired by Hall Overton's arrangement of "Little Rootie Tootie" from that recording, made in 1959.
In addition to Clark (arranger and drums), the ensemble members are Brian Horton (tenor saxophone), Devin Eddleman (alto saxophone), Spenser Liszt (baritone saxophone), Brian Fincher (trumpet), Abdullah Ebrahim (trombone), Corina Muñoz (French horn), Mark Jeffreys (tuba), Peter Rioux (piano), Henry Beal (bass), and Hiroki Kitazawa (percussion).
Roger Hunt Quartet performs "Velvet Face Doll," composed by bandmate and saxophonist Carlos Pacheco, who drew inspiration from the compositional style of Donny McCaslin. The quartet features Carlos Pacheco (saxophone), Roger Hunt (guitar), Hans Blichert (bass) and Chris Simms (drums).
Brandon Moore is a saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is currently finishing his MM Degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas. He shares his programmatic work for orchestra "Joseph" with us for JAM.
Orchestra Personnel: Composer, conductor: Brandon Moore
Rhythm: Henry Dickhoff, piano, Steven Heffner, bass, Luke Berger, drums Violins: Phoenix Abbo, Sarah Hunt, Bailey Anderson, Kathy Crabtree, Audria Fogarty-Ramirez, Cindy Park, Sebastian Grajeda, Ciana Rosenblad, Daniel Gonzalez, Amy Wang Viola: Michael Moore, Nathaniel Martin, Hao Jian Wang, Nora St. Peter Cello: Maria Baylock, Manuela Baric, Zoltan Csikos Double Bass: Heejeong Hong, Wil Brookhart Flutes: Veronica Mascaro, Brendon Wilkins Soprano Sax: Will Nathman Oboe: Catherine Wardle Clarinets: Sam Day, Catherine Conlin Bass Clarinet: Lucas Willsie Bassoon: Dallas Lauderdale Horns: Corina Munoz , Sarah Bryant, Desire Graves, Kiersten Gustafson, Jason Perez Trumpet: Nick Owsik, Gregory Newman Trombone: Brian Woodbury, Caleb Landron Bass Trombone: Kenny Davis Harp: Sonja Westerberg Timpani: Connor McClintock Percussion: Lauren McKinley, Montel Chan
