WMU Jazz Studies

08/21/2024

The music continues on Monday nights! Join us!

07/02/2024

The spot for summer jazz and jam sessions

Jazz has started on the patio.

07/02/2024

05/10/2024

Congratulations to our DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award winners!

https://archive.maherpublications.com/view/534425090/

04/10/2024

Congratulations to graduate student vocalist Yoseph Henry on his recital. He presented a heartfelt performance inspired by his gospel roots - a program of all original songs with beautiful stories about love and his family. Yoseph also directs Gold Company II so you know there would be singers on stage with him!

04/09/2024

Congratulations jazz drums senior Jude Fleischman! who gave a super-entertaining senior recital full of clever original songs, comedy, great arrangements, and of course some really great playing. Living on island time here in Kalamazoo! 🏝️

04/08/2024

Congratulations to vocalist Amanda Jean-Louis on her graduate jazz recital! She and her band played an interesting collection of standards, some bebop, and a fun Brazilian medley.

04/07/2024

The WMU Jazz Orchestra and WJC (faculty ensemble) joined forces Saturday night for a performance of Phil Nimmons’ “Atlantic Suite”. It was a special night of music to celebrate one of our last concerts of the semester.

04/06/2024

Gold Company II gave a great performance on Thursday night. Directed by graduate assistant Yoseph Henry. Congratulations to Yoseph, the vocalists and the band.

04/06/2024

Congratulations to bassist Ethan Eriksen on a great graduate recital featuring a few of his original compositions, some challenging bebop heads, plus a pair of tunes by our guest artist Dave Holland! 🎉👏🏻

04/03/2024

Beautiful concert on Tuesday night from our WMU Lab Band! Fun to hear them dig into some exciting and challenging repertoire. Congrats to director and all the students!!

04/03/2024

Lunchtime performance at the new WMU Student Center.

04/03/2024

Another great night of music with students out performing in the community. This trio featured two students getting to perform with WMU faculty! Be sure to check out all the great entertainment at .

04/01/2024

Monday night jazz performance and jam session at Another great opportunity for WMUJazz students to present their music for the Kalamazoo community! Tonight it was Duke and the Nuggets.

03/30/2024

Congratulations to bassist Owen Cramer and his band for a fantastic senior recital!! 👏🏻🎉 So much great music coming from our WMU Jazz students in this busy recital season.

03/30/2024

Beautiful student music tonight at with Jormilit García and her band. We’re so fortunate to have this outlet for live music here in Kalamazoo.

03/26/2024

11 combos performed at our Spring Combo Showcase! These groups are mostly self-directed and coached by WMU jazz faculty. Congratulations on a fantastic program.

03/24/2024

Branford Marsalis at WMU! What an amazing and inspiring masterclass. Mr Marsalis spent Thursday afternoon listening and talking to WMUJazz students about music and their musical journeys.

03/24/2024

Congratulations Andy Murfield on your graduate recital.

03/15/2024

It’s recital season at WMU. Congratulations to WMUJazz senior Joe Miller on his fantastic performance of original music + a few tunes by jazz greats. There’s some beautiful student music happening here and around town. Check our schedule ( 🔗 in bio) and we’ll see you at the next one.

03/11/2024

Advanced Jazz Ensemble kicking off the Monday night jazz series at Apoptosis Brewing Company. Jam session to follow! Come join the fun.

03/06/2024

The student jazz combo series continues at Dabney & Co. Such a great opportunity to prepare and present music in a public space. Tonight it was”Repo Men.” Big thanks to for continuing to support live music in Kalamazoo.

03/04/2024

Our 42nd annual Western Invitational Jazz Festival was a huge success. A full day with so many inspiring performances by high school big bands and combos. The day ended with an incredible concert featuring guest artist playing with our faculty and students. Congratulations to everyone involved who made it such a memorable event.

03/02/2024

What a fantastic masterclass today with guest artist Elliot Mason! Some inspiring feedback for our students. TOMORROW is our festival and final concert with Elliot and it’s going to be over the top. Join us if you can! 7:30pm at Dalton Center. 🔗 In bio.

02/27/2024

72° in February!? Take the jam session outside!

02/09/2024

Our own Aris Chalin gave a demonstration on stride piano style from the Harlem Renaissance in a presentation honoring Black History Month. Thanks to all who contributed to a great conversation.