Jazz Ensembles
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Jazz Ensembles are open to all UW Oshkosh students regardless of major. Auditions are held for all positions in the two jazz big bands at the beginning of each semester. Several jazz combos also meet regularly every semester, with regular campus coffeehouse gigs and late-night jam sessions a staple of UWO campus life.The UWO Jazz Ensemble, directed by Marty Robinson, is the premiere jazz group and rehearses four times weekly and performs a minimum of two major concerts on campus each semester as well as occasional off-campus events. Several nationally known guest artists have appeared and/or worked with the UWO Jazz Ensemble in recent years:
| Trumpet | Saxophone | |
|---|---|---|
| Scotty Barnhart | David Bixler | |
| John McNeil | Tom Gullion | |
| Valery Ponomarev | Jim Snidero | |
| Bobby Shew | Tom Washatka | |
| Byron Stripling | ||
| Trombone | Rhythm Section |
|
| Tom Garling |
Carl Allen, drums |
|
| Andy Martin |
Avishai Cohen, bass |
|
| Dean Sorenson |
Richard Davis, bass |
|
| John Harmon, piano |
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| Mary Louise Knutson, piano |
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| Ted Piltzecker, vibraphone |
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| Janet Planet, vocals |
The UWO Jazz Lab Band, directed by Andrew Sachen, performs its own concerts every semester and is a great opportunity for underclassmen and music education students, in particular, to get a jazz big band experience. Music in both big bands is chosen to represent the diversity of the jazz area and includes the numerous styles and eras that help define “America’s musical art form.” Improvisation, an essential element of jazz, is strongly encouraged by all members of the ensemble though is not required for participation.
For Audition music, please click on the appropriate link below. Contact Dr. Marty Robinson with any questions.
For more information contact Dr. Marty Robinson at (920) 424-7015 or email robinsm@uwosh.edu.
