UNT Division of Jazz Studies

Hubert Waldner graduated in 1982 with a Master of Music Education, Jazz Education emphasis. He studied with Neil Slater, Dan Haerle, and David McGuire.

His website is: http://www.hypersax2005.at.tt/

In 2008 Edgar Dorantes opened Jazzuv, a school and a project with groups and an International Festival at his university, Universidad Veracruzana, in Mexico. Stefan Karlsson was there last year playing with Eddie Gomez.

UNT jazz vocal major Mikaela Kahn is one of the 10 finalists in the Seattle audition for the Fox TV show Glee. You can help her win by going to THE VOTING PAGE and VOTING!

Stefan Karlsson trio with Fred Hamilton on bass, and Ed Soph on drums will perform at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 13, 2010. This is the 9th Edition and dates are June 11-19, 2010. Here is a link to the festival:
http://rochesterjazz.com/artist_lineup/?artist_id=412&option=sneak_peek

Pianist Stephen Anderson, UNT alumnus and professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, has released his second trio CD. He's joined by bassist Jeffry Eckels and drummer Ross Pederson, both UNT alumni, and guest alto saxophonist Andrew Van Tassel, a student at UNC-CH. The music and Anderson's liner notes are seriously interesting. For more information and audio samples, see artiststephenanderson.com.

Roberto Verastegui, a student of Stefan Karlsson, has won second place in the Kathleen T. and Philip B. Phillips, M.D. Jazz Piano Competition at the University of West Florida.

All public UNT Jazz Studies events on and off campus are now listed on our events calendar.

What: A Tribute to David “Fathead” Newman with the University of North Texas Three O’Clock Lab Band directed by Brad Leali. Featuring Frank Wess and Roger Boykin.

When: 6 p.m. April 18 (Sunday)

Where: McDavid Studio, 301 E. 5th St., Fort Worth

Contact: For ticket info, visit McDavid Studio

The University of North Texas Three O'Clock Lab Band, under the baton of Brad Leali, pays musical homage to one of the greatest hard-bop saxophone players in jazz, Texan David "Fathead" Newman. Newman, who died in 2009, spent more than a decade performing with Ray Charles; he also toured and/or recorded with Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin and B.B. King, among dozens of others. He enjoyed a lengthy solo career, having released 38 solo albums.

Featured guests will be noted saxophonist Frank Wess, who performed with jazz legend Count Basie for more than a decade, and Roger Boykin, founder of Soultex records, Dallas jazz legend and long time bandmate of Newman. Frank Wess comments, "I’ve always admired David and I’m greatly honored to be involved in this tribute." Roger Boykin adds, "I am happy to be involved in this concert honoring one of the most unique musicians in Texas history. David was a master of both Blues and Jazz and was without a doubt, the best musical friend a vocalist could ever have. He had one of the most recognizable saxophone sounds ever and his generosity with time and advice for younger musicians was unmatched." Guest of honor will be Karen Newman, the wife of David Newman. "The spirit of a great Texas Tenor will be lighting up the skies this evening," said Karen Newman. "I so look forward to hearing the familiar sounds of my David." The concert has special meaning for Three O'Clock Lab Band director Brad Leali. "At nine years old my Uncle introduced the album Ray Charles presents David Newman to me," said Leali. "That album had an outstanding significance in my life then, as well as today. Mr. Newman encompassed every aspect of musicianship that allows greatness to flourish. This tribute is for a man whose art has spoken and will continue to speak to generations forever."

UNT alumnus Alan Baylock sent this photo: "Here is a picture that was taken after the Airmen of Note gig with Joey DeFrancesco last Fall. Sara also conducted "Ordinary Deviation," which was the winner of the annual Sammy Nestico Award.
You might recognize everyone, but just in case. Front: Alan Baylock, Sara Jacovino, Joey DeFrancesco, Joe Jackson. Back: Andy Axelrad, Jeff Martin, Ben Patterson, Doug Morgan, Rich Sigler, Tyler Kuebler. All of us (minus Joey) were at UNT at some point and and I think all but one of us graduated!"

There are two new photos of the Three O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Brad Leali. Here's one:
(Click for large image.)