The Harvard Jazz Combo Initiative is intended to provide opportunities for students at various levels to explore America's great indigenous art-form - jazz! The program consists of various jazz combos (of four-eight musicians), open jam sessions, workshops and at least one performance per semester. Each combo meets weekly, typically on Thursdays (or early Fridays). Open to undergraduate students, who will be placed in specific combos groups with students of comparable musical level, the program focuses mainly on instrumental repertoire, but vocalists with a strong interest in jazz should apply for placement in a combo. In addition to exploring classic jazz songs, students will receive guidance in arranging and/or composing for their groups.
The combos are coached by saxophonist/composer/arranger Don Braden, '85, who has spent many years performing and recording with touring jazz combos led by legendary musicians Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Tony Williams, Roy Haynes, Freddie Hubbard and many others.
- play well the melodies of various types of tunes, both individually and collectively;
- improvise creatively over the solo sections of the tunes, using improvisational tools appropriate to their level of musical and instrumental knowledge;
- hone general skills in small group performance, including: playing together form-wise, dynamically and in various transitions, phrasing together melodically, complementing and supporting each other harmonically and rhythmically, recovering in case something goes wrong;
- develop good listening skills and habits;
- embrace comradery, teamwork, leadership, humility and professional behavior;
- and, most important, be expressive within the group context musically and emotionally, and experience the joy of doing it.
For more information, audition requirements and deadlines, please visit: http://harvardjazzbands.com/about-the-jci
The OFA/Harvard Jazz Combo Initiative Is made possible through the support of the Thomas G. Everett Jazz Innovation Fund established by Jill Altshuler ‘87 AB, ‘94 MBA and David Altshuler ‘90 PhD, MD.