Global Jazz Studies - The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

Jazz is a global and constantly evolving phenomenon, with roots and their extensions in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia. As a cultural force, jazz has a powerful tendency to transform the musical and political worlds it engages. We cultivate jazz’s transformative capabilities in our curriculum while we focus on honing the skills and talents of our students. Students have the opportunity to play in multiple ensembles and work one-on-one with artist-teachers in individual studios. Our courses immerse our students in the vibrant history and culture of jazz.

In the best liberal arts tradition, you will enjoy interdisciplinary contact from the departments of ethnomusicology, musicology and music industry at the School of Music and UCLA’s other arts and humanities departments. We are committed to giving students the best academic and musical preparation, all while taking advantage of the many performance opportunities on campus and in Los Angeles.

Call for Papers:
Coltrane at 100

 

The global jazz studies program is hosting a symposium and concert celebrating John Coltrane. We are accepting paper proposals through August 31.

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“It’s amazing how jazz interacts and influences cultures from around the world. I’m an immigrant myself, and I appreciated the global focus of the program.”
-Christian Omar Ruiz Mendoza, class of 2023

Global Jazz Faculty

Duane Benjamin
Continuing Lecturer; Director of Gluck Global Jazz Ensemble and Commercial Music Studio Ensemble.
Clayton Cameron
Senior Continuing Lecturer - Percussion, Director of Jazz Combo
Charley Harrison
Continuing Lecturer, Director of UCLA Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combo
Tamir Hendelman
Continuing Lecturer- Jazz Piano, Jazz Keyboard Harmony, Jazz Theory and Improvisation
Cheryl L. Keyes
Professor - Global Jazz Studies and Ethnomusicology (Contemporary Jazz, Hip Hop)
Steven Loza
Professor - Global Jazz Studies, Ethnomusicology, Director of the UCLA Center for Latino Arts
Roberto Miranda
Adjunct Assoc. Professor
Hitomi Oba
Continuing Lecturer and Director of Contemporary Jazz Ensemble
Ruth Price
Adjunct Assoc. Professor
Daniel Rosenboom
Lecturer - Trumpet Performance
Salim Washington
Professor and Chair of Global Jazz Studies

Global Jazz Studies News

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Tamir Hendelman on Robert Miller Podcast
The Follow Your Dream podcast with Robert Miller features Tamir Hendelman in this episode of his podcast connecting world-class artists in peer-to-peer interviews.
Meiji University Hosts UCLA Jazz Musicians
Meiji University hosted UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music faculty performing Latin jazz at its Surugadai on March 21. Featured faculty included Regina Carter-Garnett, Clayton Cameron, Nick DePinna, Abhiman Kaushal,
Album Drop: "Spring" by Tamir Hendelman
The new album by jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman and vocalist Lauren Sutton has been praised for reminding listeners that “jazz at its finest often resides in simplicity: two musicians,one piano,
Jazz Without Borders: Salim Washington on Cultural Exchange with Cuba
Salim Washington, professor and chair of global jazz studies, is working to expand opportunities for students to experience the truly global nature of jazz.
Freedom Melody Concert Caps Steve Dyer Residency
Steve Dyer, the South African multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, visited The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music the week of October 27 with his quartet Aaron Rimbui (piano), Jimmy Mngwandi
A Concert That Asks the Audience to Listen to Their Voices, and Others
Forty years after the African music festival Freedom Melody challenged apartheid, an artist brings the songs of resistance and humanity to the stage On Wednesday, October 29, The UCLA Herb

Explore All School of Music 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