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About the Jazz Studies Program

In the Fall of 1989, the University of Southern Maine began offering a Bachelor of Music in Performance with a Jazz Studies Concentration to complement the school's excellent program in Classical Music Performance. During the Fall of 1993, USM added an Elective Concentration in Jazz Education as an option for students majoring in Music Education. In addition, students may use jazz courses to satisfy elective requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music or the Music Minor.

Our approach to jazz education encourages the student to combine a thorough knowledge of the jazz idiom with a solid background in their traditional musical studies. Jazz students will greatly benefit from their exposure to our concert band, jazz ensemble, jazz combos, orchestra and chorale ensembles, as well as our applied music faculty. Experience has shown that a jazz musician with this diversity of training will find greater opportunities for professional musical employment upon graduation.

Jazz Studies Concentration

This degree concentration is designed as foundation studies for those who wish to prepare for careers in jazz or commercial music performance, and jazz instruction. and those who plan to pursue graduate work in jazz studies. This program aims to instill a thorough understanding of this unique American art form and its relationship to contemporary society. Applied music, jazz improvisation, jazz arranging, jazz history, jazz pedagogy, and jazz ensembles are emphasized. A basic understanding of the standards and performance opportunities for professional performance leads the student to realistic expectations for a career as a performer or teacher.

Jazz Artists in Residence

Since 1988, the USM Jazz Studies Program has endeavored to bring major jazz artists to the compus to work with and inspire our students. With the help of the Maine Arts Commission, the New England Foundation for the Arts, the USM Speakers Fund, and corporations such as Ludwig and Zildgian, we have been able to bring artists such as:

Clark Terry, World renowned trumpeter and recording artist
New York Voices, Premiere vocal jazz group
Frank Foster, Saxophonist and leader of the Count Basie Orchestra
Hal Galper, Pianist formerly with Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderly, Lee Konitz, and Michael Brecker. He brought his two trios consisting of John Lockwood (Bass), Bobby Moses (drums), Dennis Irwin (Bass), and Steve Ellington (drums).
Herb Pomeroy, Boston's legendary flugelhornist and big band leader
Orange-then-Blue, Boston's innovative mini-big band
Alan Dawson, Boston's premier drummer and teacher, formerly with Dave Brubeck and Jacki Byard
Todd Coolman, Bassist formerly with Stan Getz, Horace Silver, Mel Lewis Big Band, and James Moody
Brad Terry, Maine's own award-winning jazz clarinetist
Archangel, A jazz group from Russia
Kenny Werner, New York based Jazz Pianist, author of Effortless Mastery

University of Southern Maine Jazz Faculty

Trent Ryan Austin (Jazz Trumpet)

Les Harris, Jr. (Jazz Drum Set)

Christopher Oberholtzer (Director of Jazz Studies)

Michelle Snow (Vocal Jazz)

Tom Snow (Jazz Piano)

Bill Street (Saxophone, Jazz Combos)

Bronek Suchanek (Jazz Bass, Jazz Combos)

Gary Wittner (Jazz Guitar)