Each year, CSU East Bay jazz ensembles perform a number of concerts, including on-campus performances, regional, and international tours. The ensembles also perform with major guest artists at CSU East Bay’s annual jazz festival.
If you are interested in playing in one of our jazz bands, or would like further information, please fill out the interest form on this page.
The CSU East Bay Music Department offers five jazz ensembles:
Big Bands:
- Jazz Ensemble (Advanced): Tue & Thu 2:00 pm – 3:40 /Instructor: Wallmann
- Jazz Workshop (Int / Adv): Mon & Wed 4:00 pm – 5:40 pm /Instructor: Wallmann
- Jazz Band (Intermediate): Tue & Thu 4:00 pm – 5:40 pm /Instructor: Zinn
Small Improvisation Ensembles (jazz combos):
- Advanced Improvisation Ensemble: 1 hr, 40 min, once a week, TBD /Instructor: Wallmann
- Intermediate Improv Ensemble: 1 hr, 40 min, once a week, TBD /Instructor: Wallmann
Participation is open to students of any major. Attendance at all rehearsals, performances, and tours is mandatory, except with the express permission of the instructor. Open to all woodwinds, brass, guitarists, pianists, and bassists (acoustic or electric), and drummers/percussionists. Jazz ensembles may fulfill the major ensemble requirement (big bands)or chamber ensemble requirement (jazz combos) for music majors.
All participants must enroll for the corresponding one-unit course either as a regular student or through Open University.
To schedule an audition: All students interested in joining a jazz big band or small ensemble, including returning students, must sign up for an individual audition. Auditions will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008 and Tuesday, September 23. Please call Mariko Abe in the Music Department Office at (510) 885-3135 to schedule your audition.
Audition Process: All students will be asked to sight-read a piece of music from the jazz literature with piano accompaniment (provided). Focus is on jazz-appropriate phrasing, sight-reading accuracy, instrumental tone, and technical ability. If you have any experience with jazz improvisation (preferred, but not mandatory), you will also be asked to improvise on the given piece of music. Students with very little jazz experience or poor sight-reading skills are encouraged to bring in a prepared piece of music in jazz or a related idiom.
Results: Results will be posted on this website, the door of MB 1039 (jazz rehearsal room), and the door of MB 2036 (office of Johannes Wallmann, Director of Jazz Studies). Once you have received your ensemble assignment(s), you must register for the appropriate course section!
For questions regarding jazz ensembles, contact Johannes Wallmann, Director of Jazz Studies, at Johannes.wallmann@csueastbay.edu
