The Bachelor of Arts in Global Jazz Studies encourages students to think globally about the capacity of jazz to transform the musical and political worlds it engages, while building upon UCLA’s strong jazz studies and world music foundation. Designed for students seeking careers as jazz performers, producers, teachers, and/or jazz scholars, coursework includes scholarly courses on the history and culture of jazz, studio instruction, participation in jazz and world music ensembles, and courses in music theory, musical structure and instrumentation, improvisation, expression, composition, and arranging. The major is interdisciplinary, drawing from various areas across the school of music as well as UCLA’s African American Studies department.
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Guest Artists Offer Students Unique Insights
The Global Jazz Studies program provides significant opportunities for students to engage with a wide range of distinguished jazz artists, including visiting artists and faculty brought by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA. By offering meaningful interactions with jazz greats, we help students master their instruments and prepare for professional performance careers. Recent opportunities to participate in masterclasses have included such esteemed artists as Jimmy Heath, Terri Lyne Carrington, Billy Childs, Steve Coleman, Benny Golson, Vijay Iyer, Nicole Mitchell, Danilo Pérez, and Jen Shyu.
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Freedom First to Feature Student Composition
On Friday, October 6, Schoenberg Hall will witness a special event. A concert for Keith LaMar will feature legendary jazz musicians Salim Washington and multi-Grammy Award winner Arturo O’Farrill. The concert benefits LaMar, currently on death row in Ohio, having been falsely convicted of murder in the aftermath of the 1993 Lucasville Prison uprising. *
Mexican Music's regional roots go from 'invisible' to 'invincible'
ABC News recently covered explosion of Mexican genres in American popular music. To understand the music’s regional roots, they turned to Steven Loza, professor of Global Jazz Studies at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
Student Spotlight, Summer 2023
Bruins at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music have had a busy summer. Check out what they've been up to!
Remembering the Incomparable Barbara Morrison
Everyone has a story about Barbara Morrison. The L.A. legend was a force unto herself—a powerhouse interpreter of the blues, a jazz singer equal parts suave and sonorous, a scintillating performer who held audiences in thrall. On Saturday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music will play host to Vocal Night:
The 2023 Grammys Have Been Awarded, and UCLA Has Scored
It was another good year for America’s #1 public university, with School of Music faculty and alumni bringing home several 2023 Grammy Awards.
2023 Grammy Nominees from The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
The 2023 Grammy nominations have been announced, and The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music faculty and alumni are well represented.
Apr
1
Mon
3:00pm
Free
Free
jazz
Patrice Rushen in Dialogue and Performance
This event will feature award-winning musician and composer Patrice Rushen in a dialogue with highly acclaimed jazz violinist Regina Carter. The event will culminate in a solo piano performance by Patrice Rushen.
May
20
Mon
7:00pm
Free
Free
jazz
UCLA Jazz Combos and Ensembles Concert 1
UCLA student combos and ensembles directed by world-class jazz artists will be performing well-known jazz standards, contemporary works, and pop songs, as well as compositions by the faculty directors and the students.
May
21
Tue
7:00pm
Free
Free
jazz
UCLA Jazz Combos and Ensembles Concert 2
UCLA student combos and ensembles directed by world-class jazz artists will be performing well-known jazz standards, contemporary works, and pop songs, as well as compositions by the faculty directors and the students.
Explore Our Degrees
Conducting
Graduate study and training in choral, orchestral, or wind conducting
Ethnomusicology
The study of global musical traditions through performance training, research, and field work
Global Jazz Studies
Jazz performance and musicianship courses are paired with African American Studies
Music Composition
Mentorship in the creation and realization of music for concerts, opera, and visual media
Music Education
Preparation for music educators leading to a BA and teaching credential in just four years
Music Industry
A leadership-focused professional degree which prepares students to transform the creative, entrepreneurial, and executive structures of the music industry
Musicology
The scholarly study of the histories, cultures, and critical interpretations of music and music-making
Music Performance
Study and training towards professional performance careers in Western classical music