Jazz Studies

Visiting Artist-in-Residence: Dave Holland
Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Emeritus: George Russell

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NEC’s Jazz Studies faculty teach the art of jazz improvisation with an emphasis on individual creativity and group interaction in small ensemble performance.

Rather than learning a single "correct" way to play, you are encouraged to explore the myriad possibilities in jazz, to discover your own original voice, through a rigorous program of ear training, analysis, and historical study. Jazz is broadly defined at NEC and experimentation is encouraged. At the same time, it is essential that you master the jazz traditions of swing, melodic improvisation on tonal forms, and instrumental technique and expression in order to be a competent professional who can extend those traditions and function in a variety of musical settings.

As a Jazz Composition major, you work closely with a studio teacher in private lessons and have many opportunities to have your music read, performed, and recorded by large and small jazz composers’ ensembles.

Your experience as a jazz major at NEC will extend beyond the classroom with numerous opportunities to be part of the Boston jazz scene. Clubs like the Western Front and Lizard Lounge regularly host NEC jazz groups. Art galleries like Zeitgeist Gallery and Artist at Large Gallery double as open improvisational music spaces that often feature NEC faculty, alumni, and students.

Courses encompass two areas of study: Jazz Studies and Contemporary Improvisation. Jazz Studies focuses on African-American traditions; Contemporary Improvisation provides students with the opportunity to synthesize such diverse traditions as jazz, contemporary classical, and ethnic music through improvisation, performance, and composition, with an emphasis on developing aural traditions.

Courses include the following:

Development of Long-Term Melodic Memory
— Ran Blake
Introduction to Jazz Improvisation and Ear Training
— Hankus Netsky
Development of Long-Term Harmonic Memory and Development of Personal Style
— Ran Blake, Hankus Netsky
Jazz Repertoire and Jazz Theory
— John McNeil
Development of Rhythmic Skills
— Michael Cain
Jazz Vocal Traditions
— Dominique Eade
Lydian Chromatic Concepts
— Ben Schwendener
Film Noir
— Ran Blake
Jazz Composition and Arranging , Topics in Jazz Theory and Analysis
— Ken Schaphorst
Jazz Styles: Free Jazz and the Avant-Garde
— Allan Chase
Jazz Composition for Performers
— Frank Carlberg
Jazz Ear Training
— George Garzone
Intervallic Improvisation, Melodic Rhythm and Graduate Improvisation Seminar
— Jerry Bergonzi