Jazz Studies

Jazz students at the Cali School of Music develop their artistry through ensemble performance, improvisation, vocal jazz, contemporary repertoire, and classic works from the jazz tradition. Through groups such as the University Jazz Ensemble, Redhawk Jazz Band, Vocamotion Singers, Cali Jazz Orchestra, Composers' Ensemble, Latin Ensemble, and Jazz Percussion Ensemble, students build skills in collaboration, interpretation, solo performance, recording, and improvisation.

Guided by Cali’s distinguished jazz faculty, students perform on campus and beyond, with recent appearances including Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Montclair Jazz Festival, and the OSPAC Jazz Festival.. They also work closely with major guest artists through concerts, masterclasses, and Cali’s Immersive Residency Program, which has brought artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Pat Metheny, Béla Fleck, Jazzmeia Horn, Arturo Sandoval, Samora Pinderhughes. and Paquito D’Rivera to campus. The result is a vibrant, supportive environment where students grow as performers, improvisers, and creative artists.