Art | Music | Theatre

Jazz

Jazz Studies

The Arkansas State University Jazz Band is one of the University's many strong and diverse ensembles. The band performs the full gamut of jazz literature from dance hits of the 1920s to World Music and Jazz fusion written by today’s most cutting edge composers the strength of the Jazz Band always shows in performance.

The first ASU jazz Band was formed by Bill Bell, and ASU student with a wealth of jazz experience he had gained as a member of the military and as a professional musician. Even though the students who participated did not receive credit for their participation and were even responsible for securing their own music, their love of jazz and the leadership of Mr. Bell came together to create the blueprint for the band that performs today.

Although today’s ASU Jazz band is offered for credit, it is still the students' love of jazz that forms the blueprint for the ensemble. The band even continues to play some of the music that was a part of early ensembles. Currently under the direction of Dr. E Ron Horton the band takes advantage of its rich heritage while moving forward and offering courses in jazz education. Students interested in jazz at ASU have the opportunity to become members of one of two jazz ensembles, as well as small groups that perform throughout the region. In addition students have the opportunity to study jazz improvisation in private lessons. These lessons cover jazz ear training as well as piano techniques. Students interested in jazz can also take ASU’s Jazz History course and advanced music students can also study jazz at the graduate level.

In addition to regular class and concert the ASU jazz band has hosted a variety of artists including Jon Faddis, Bobby Shew, Mike Steinel, Buddy Collette, and the New Orleans Jazz Ramblers. These factors and many more make ASU one of the most exciting places around to study and perform jazz.


For information please contact Dr. E Ron Horton, ASU’s director of Jazz Studies, at 870-972-2799 or email at rhorton@astate.edu.