UNF Ensembles & Combos
Jazz Ensemble I Jazz Ensemble I has won numerous group and individual awards and has been consistently recognized by such publications as Cadence, Jazz Times, Jazz Educators Journal, and DownBeat for its improvisational prowess and precision ensemble playing. The band has received performance awards from DownBeat each year since 2002, and has been invited to perform at prestigious jazz festivals in both the U.S. and in Europe. Its itinerary includes two performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 2001 and 2003, and at the North Sea Jazz Festival at The Hague, Netherlands in 2002. In July 2005 JE1 toured China for 14 days at the invitation of its government. The Ensemble also has been invited to perform at International Association of Jazz Educators Conferences in Atlanta, Boston, Miami, and New Orleans, the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the Suncoast Jazz Festival in Tampa, the Savannah Jazz Festival, the Mobile Jazz Festival, and annually at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. J.B. Scott |
| Jazz Ensemble II Dennis Marks, Assistant Professor of Jazz Bass, conducts this elite jazz band at the University of North Florida. The ensemble meets twice a week for rehearsals. In addition, each section of the band engages in focused “sectional” rehearsals to clean up their individual parts. Assuming that each band member accomplishes his/her tasks, the band can strive for the most positive musical experience possible. Performance repertoire is quite varied, and this is partially the result of being the number two jazz band. JE II does not play all the big performances, but does have at least three performances a semester featuring chosen material. This allows for maximum flexibility in determining repertoire. The material chosen comes from all idioms of big band jazz, including swing, bop, funk, and fusion. This ensemble consistently enjoys the presence of high-quality players, enabling a wide variety of sound colors and textures to be realized. JE II has played several important venues over the last few years, including Lazzara Hall, Jacksonville Main Library-Downtown, Jacoby Hall at FCCJ, and the LaVilla School of the Arts. One of the premier benefits is the honor of being the opening act for the featured spring artist in the Great American Jazz Series. Also, every semester JE II performs at the Boathouse, an on-campus restaurant/pub. (All twenty musicians are treated to complimentary chicken wings and fries!) Most players that have played in this band have advanced on to JE I, or have pursued their own careers. Here are some of the arrangements performed over the last three years: • The First Circle Dennis Marks |
| Jazz Ensemble III Dr. Marc Dickman directs this wonderful ensemble. JE III plays 4 to 5 gigs a semester. UNF’s JE III has performed at many venues and jazz festivals in Florida and Georgia. Recent engagements include UNF’s Great American Jazz Series, the Intercollegiate Jazz Festival, the Lakeside Jazz Festival in Daytona Beach, the Jazz Festival at the Kravis center in West Palm Beach, the Bella Sera Jazz Weekend in Jekyll Island, and the Amelia Island Jazz Festival. The ensemble is made up of 21 UNF students with a variety of majors. We also perform once a semester at the campus pub, the Boathouse. (JEIII members are treated to a Buffalo Wing feast at the conclusion of the gig!) All members audition for jazz ensembles in the Fall. The audition is for chair placement within the band. Here are some of the tunes JE III is working on or have recently performed: • All of Me Dr. Marc Dickman |
| Jazz Combos The UNF Jazz Combos Directed by Lynne Arriale The UNF combo program involves playing as well as specific assignments. The students work with different techniques to help strengthen their improvisation skills. The atmosphere is very 'hands on,' so that there is greater ease assimilating the techniques being assigned. The tunes that the students learned for memory in spring '07 are listed below. TUNELIST SPRING '07 • Stella by Starlight TUNELIST FALL '07 BENNY GOLSON TUNES • Whisper Not HERBIE HANCOCK TUNES • Maiden Voyage WAYNE SHORTER • Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum Lynne Arriale |
Guitar Ensemble The guitar ensemble has two primary goals. We spend one day of the week working on sight reading, interpretation, and balance, while our second meeting is focused on developing performance skills. These skills would include playing tunes in all keys, setting up intros and endings, accompanying vocalists, and developing a well balanced repertoire. Guitarists are encouraged to critique each other in an environment that is enriching and not belittling. We have some exceptional guitarists at UNF and they are a constant source of inspiration to each other.
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