About
The award-winning WSU Jazz Big Band has received national-level praise. Jack Bowers, writing for the blog All About Jazz, says that WSU is recognized for “high caliber big band jazz.” He goes on to say that the big bands at WSU understand “the importance of color, dynamics and unison, each of which is present in abundance,” and that they “never lose sight of what big bands are all about, namely swinging, regardless of mood or tempo.” He continues by exclaiming that “these bands mean business.”
WSU has been described by Jazziz magazine as one of the “best educational institutions for jazz.” Ensembles and individuals have received awards from Down Beat magazine and top honors at major festivals, including numerous first-place awards at the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. WSU groups regularly present invited performances at prestigious conferences. Additionally they tour, record, and perform with distinguished guest artists. Guests have included saxophonists Ed Calle, Jeff Coffin, and Ernie Watts; vocalists Kevin Mahogany and Rebecca Parris; vibist Gary Burton; and many others.
The award-winning WSU Jazz Big Band is directed by Aaron Hill. The WSU Jazz Lab Band is directed by Darryl “Doc D” Singleton.
Recordings
Jazz Big Band and Combo Auditions
These auditions are for anyone interested in participating in one of our big bands or any of our combos. We are looking forward to an exciting year!
Audition Dates
- All Wind Instruments & Piano – Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17. Sign up for a Wind Instrument or Piano audition.
- All Rhythm Section (except piano) – Monday August 18. Rhythm Section instrumentalists (except piano) sign up for an audition. Guitar and bass amps will be available. Drummers are encouraged to bring cymbals (including hi hat clutch). Please bring cables, sticks, brushes, etc.
What to prepare:
- We encourage everyone to use an etude from the folder below. You also can decide to play a different jazz etude or the head (melody) to a jazz tune. In any case, please play whatever will best show off your technical and lyrical ability
- Bb major scale and/ or Chromatic scale from your lowest comfortable note to your highest “I can do this all day…or at least a few times a day” note…and back down!
- OPTIONAL: 1-2 choruses of improvised solo over Bb Rhythm Changes and/or F Blues
- You can find pdf’s with jazz tunes you can use in this folder: PDF files of jazz tunes that you may use
- You will be asked to sight read!
- The head (melody) to a jazz tune that shows off your technical and lyrical ability (If you are able, please comp while playing the melody).
- Comping pattern to Bb Rhythm Changes (1 chorus each style) or F blues (2 choruses each style).
- Medium Swing
- Bossa Nova or other Latin style
- Funk or Rock
- OPTIONAL: 1-2 choruses of improvised solo over Bb Rhythm Changes and/or F Blues.
- You can find pdf’s with jazz tunes you can use in this folder: PDF files of jazz tunes that you may use
- You will be asked to sight read!
- Prepare a song to a backing track. Please bring the backing track on a device. A Bluetooth speaker will be provided.
- Demonstrate styles (Bass use either rhythm changes or 12 bar blues):
- Medium Swing
- Fast Swing
- Bossa Nova or other Latin style
- Funk or Rock
- You will be asked to sight read!
- Drums/Percussion-you will be asked to trade-4’s in medium or fast swing!
Questions?
Please let us know if you have any questions!
darryl.singleton@wsu.edu
509.335.3962