The One O'Clock Lab Band

The One O’Clock Lab Band is the premier performing ensemble of the internationally acclaimed University of North Texas jazz studies program. Jay Saunders is director of the One O’Clock Lab Band. With an unprecedented six Grammy nominations (Lab 2009 received double nominations for "Best Large Jazz Ensemble" and "Best Instrumental Composition" for Ice-Nine composed by Steve Wiest) resulting from the library of over fifty critically acclaimed Lab Band recordings to date, the One O’Clock Lab Band is noted for exceptional individual musicianship and tight ensemble performance. One O’Clock Lab Band concerts feature the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson libraries (both housed exclusively at North Texas), original compositions by Grammy-nominated composers Neil Slater and Steve Wiest, jazz faculty member Rich DeRosa, and the wealth of compositions and arrangements in the UNT jazz library written by current and former North Texas students.

The One O’Clock frequently appears in major jazz venues such as Birdland (NYC), Blues Alley (DC), Catalina's (LA), and as the headliner at jazz festivals, major music conferences, and concerts hosted by numerous fine arts series, colleges and high schools across the United States, Canada, and around the world.

Alumni of the North Texas jazz program are virtually everywhere in the professional music industry as performing artists and jazz educators. The list of significant names runs the gamut from Jimmy Giuffre and Herb Ellis, to Bob Dorough, Jack Petersen, Bob Morgan, Marvin Stamm, Ed Soph, Billy Harper, Dan Haerle, Bruce Fowler, Gary Grant, Jay Saunders, Dean Parks, Chuck Schmidt, Fred Sturm, Jim Riggs, Lou Marini and Tom “Bones” Malone; from Lyle Mays, John Riley, Mike Steinel, Joe Eckert, Rodney Booth, Bev Dahlke-Smith, Dennis Irwin, Marc Johnson and Steve Houghton, to Dan Higgins, John Murphy, Conrad Herwig, Jim Snidero, Greg Bissonette, Bob Belden, Mike Williams, Steve Wiest, Frank Greene, Brad Leali, Shelley Carrol, Glenn Kostur, Earl Harvin, Pete McCann, Joe Jackson, Craig Johnson and Stefan Karlsson; from Brad Turner, Jim White, Vern Sielert, Scott Harrell, Mike Pope, Henry Hey and Keith Carlock, to Scott Englebright, Pete DeSiena, Adolfo Acosta, Alan Baylock, Rosana Eckert, Tim Miller, Ari Hoenig, Stockton Helbing, Ross Pederson and Norah Jones.

An ongoing tradition at North Texas is to bring major jazz figures to campus to perform and interact with students. This is achieved through four means – the Annual Fall Concert (since 1959), the Jazz Lecture Series (since 1982), the Gomez International Artist Endowment residency (since 1995), and the various instrumental clubs organized by UNT students. The list of legendary jazz artists (performers, composers, and scholars) who have shared their music and experience with North Texas students and faculty is formidable. Bringing this wealth of information to Denton is a key element in the success of the North Texas jazz program.

The jazz degree program at North Texas began in 1947 under Dr. Gene Hall, gained national recognition under Dr. Leon Breeden, and achieved international renown under Neil Slater. The UNT jazz faculty, currently chaired by John Murphy, is the foundation of the North Texas jazz studies division. Thirteen full-time faculty members provide UNT jazz studies students with an educational environment unparalleled among university programs.

The Two O'Clock Lab Band

Rodney Booth, Director

The Two O'Clock Lab Band is a large jazz ensemble which includes five saxes, five trumpets, five trombones, guitar, piano, bass, drums and percussion players. The band holds rehearsals Monday through Thursday from 2:00 pm to 2:50 pm. The director of the Two O'Clock Lab Band is Rodney Booth.

The Two O'Clock Lab Band meets four times a week for 50 minutes and performs several times each semester, both on and off campus. Interested players should perform the generic jazz audition and check "Lab Band" on the audition sheet. Call-back auditions will be held during the first week of rehearsals.

For three consecutive years (1992,1993 and 1994), Down Beat Magazine selected the UNT Two O'Clock Lab Band as ("Winner") of the Annual Student Music Awards. The band has recorded ten albums.

Policies
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Substitutes may be sent a maximum of six times during a semester. The music folder must be at all rehearsals. An empty chair or the abscence of music at a rehearsal will lower the students grade one whole step. On and off campus performances are scheduled for the 2:00 Lab Band. Attendance for these performances and related dress rehearsals is mandatory.

Punctuality: Be on time for all performances and rehearsals. Tardiness will lower your grade.

For Rehearsals:
Trumpets - Fluegelhorn double, cup, harmon and plunger mutes.
Trombones - Cup and plunger mutes.
Saxophones - Soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet and piccolo.
Baritone Saxophone - Bass clarinet.
Guitar/bass - All necessary patch cords. Volume pedal is required.
Drums - cymbals, bass drum pedal, sticks, brushes and mallets.
For Performances: Appropriate dress, as determined before each performance.

Sectionals: Section leaders are required to hold weekly sectional rehearsals.

Music Folders: Charts and folders are the responsibility of each student. Music must be properly cared for and brought to all rehearsals and performances. A fee of $1.00 per double page will be charged for the replacement of all lost parts.

Grading Policy: Grading is based on the following criteria:
Quality and consistency of preparation.
Positive attitude for the benefit of the whole ensemble.
Grade of "I" - Incomplete: The grade of "I" will be given using the contract form. This is university policy.

American With Disabilities Act: The College of Music complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disability. If you have an established disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request accomodation, please see me as soon as possible. My office hours are shown on this syllabus.

The Three O'Clock Lab Band

The Three o’clock Lab Band is a large jazz ensemble which includes five saxes, five trumpets, five trombones, guitar, piano, bass, drums and percussion players. The band holds rehearsals Monday through Thursday from 3:00 pm to 3:50 pm. The director of the Three o'clock Lab Band is Brad Leali.

The Three o'clock Lab Band meets four times a week for 50 minutes and performs several times each semester, both on and off campus. Interested players should perform the generic jazz audition and check "Lab Band" on the audition sheet. Call-back auditions will be held during the first week of rehearsals.

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Substitutes may be sent a maximum of six times during a semester. The music folder must be at all rehearsals. An empty chair or the absence of music at a rehearsal will lower the student’s grade one whole step. On and off campus performances are scheduled for the 3:00 Lab Band. Attendance for these performances and related dress rehearsals is mandatory.

Punctuality: Be on time for all performances and rehearsals. Tardiness will lower your grade.

For Rehearsals and Performances as needed:
Trumpets – Flugelhorn; cup, straight, harmon and plunger mutes.
Trombones - Cup and plunger mutes.
Saxophones - Soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet and piccolo.
Baritone Saxophone - Bass clarinet.
Guitar/bass - All necessary patch cords. Volume pedal is required.
Drums - cymbals, bass drum pedal, sticks, brushes and mallets.
For Performances: Appropriate dress, as determined before each performance.

Sectionals: Section leaders are required to hold weekly sectional rehearsals.

Music Folders: Charts and folders are the responsibility of each student. Music must be properly cared for and brought to all rehearsals and performances. A fee of $1.00 per double page will be charged for the replacement of all lost parts.

The Other Seven Lab Bands

In addition to the One, Two, and Three O'Clock Bands, there are six other large jazz ensembles that are directed by teaching fellows. Each band includes five saxes, five trumpets, five trombones, guitar, piano, bass, drums and percussion players. The lab bands meet four times a week for 50 minutes; all of the bands have on-campus peformances and some also perform off campus. Interested players should perform the generic jazz audition and check "Lab Band" on the audition sheet.

UNT Jazz Singers, Avenue C, Third Street & West End

The University of North Texas Jazz Singers is the premier vocal jazz ensemble within the Division of Jazz Studies in the College of Music. Under the direction of Jennifer Barnes, Jazz Singers consists of twelve to fifteen vocalists and a four-piece rhythm section who perform a challenging and varied repertoire of jazz and jazz-influenced music, emphasizing close vocal harmonies, cutting-edge repertoire and improvisation. The ensemble was awarded “Outstanding Performance” as a Graduate-level Jazz Choir in the 2012 DownBeat Student Music Awards, and has been named the Collegiate Jazz Choir winner numerous times under the leadership of founding director, Paris Rutherford. UNT Jazz Singers has performed at state, national and international music conferences and festivals, including those for the Jazz Education Network, International Association for Jazz Education, the American Choral Directors Association and the Texas Music Educators Association. UNT Jazz Singers is one of four vocal jazz ensembles that are part of the comprehensive Vocal Jazz Studies major at UNT, which comprises a global student population of 25 – 35 students who pursue Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctoral level degree programs.

Jazz Singers rehearses in the Fall semester as follows:
Mondays 12 - 12:50 p.m. (vocals only)
Tuesday & Thursdays 12:30 - 1:50 p.m. (vocals and rhythm section)
Fridays 1 - 1:50 p.m. (vocals only)

In the spring semester, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the same, but the Monday and Friday rehearsals flip-flop times:
Mondays 1 - 1:50 p.m.
Fridays 12 - 12:50 p.m.

Find the most current information, photos, videos, etc. when you visit and "Like" the UNT Vocal Jazz Facebook page

Recent performances include: • Los Angeles, CA - Oceanside, CA Tour (Spring 2014) • Jazz Education Network Annual Conference (Atlanta, GA, January 2013) • The Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C., Fall 2011) • Int'l Assn for Jazz Education (2005-New York, 2007-Toronto) • Texas Music Educators Association (2006, San Antonio)

Audition information

The vocal jazz program, in existence for over 30 years, focuses on strong performance skills, composing/arranging for vocal and instrumental ensembles, and on training as educators. Former members of UNT Jazz Singers perform in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, Toronto, Orlando, and are on university faculties across the United States and in Canada.

Avenue C, Third Street and West End

Avenue C (right), Third Street (below) and West End (below right) are also complete vocal jazz ensembles in the Jazz Studies Division, directed by our Graduate Teaching Fellows. Differences between the four levels of ensembles include size of the group, composition of the group (all females or all males, for example), and repertoire focus. Avenue C rehearses from 12:00 - 12:50 pm. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays); Third Street rehearses from 5 - 5:50 p.m. Mondays & 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; West End rehearses from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays & 1 - 1:50 p.m. Fridays.

Guitar Ensembles

Jazz Guitar Labs, MULB 1817/5174.517

The guitar ensembles are some of the many diverse performing groups at UNT. Fred Hamilton, Professor in Jazz Studies, coordinates them. In these ensembles, guitarists have the unique opportunity to rehearse and perform in a section of five or more guitars. This helps the student focus on reading skills, ensemble blend, group articulations, utilization of electric effects, comping and soloing. The premier group, the L-5, specializes in jazz, blues, rock, and electric avant-garde. The ensemble recorded a CD in 2002, which was released in 2003, titled the Quilt Master, available through UNT.

The L-5 and The Super 400
The L-5 meets Monday through Thursday from 5:00-5:50 in room 262. It will perform more electric and free styles of compositions. The instrumentation is five guitars, bass and drums.
The other guitar ensembles are called the 335 and the Super 400. The Super 400 meets in room 263 from 1:00-1:50 and the 335 meets in the same room from 2:00-2:50 on Monday and Wednesday.

Objectives: To write, rehearse and perform great music. Each member of the ensemble is required to write a guitar ensemble arrangement to receive an "A" for the semester grade.

Attendance is mandatory. If there is a reason you cannot attend a rehearsal, you must speak with the instructor and provide a competent sub.

Performances- There will be at least one performance in Kenton, one at The Syndicate in the UNT Student Union and possible off-campus performances. Everyone is required to perform unless arranged with the instructor.

Grades are based on the ensemble arrangement, preparation of parts and attendance at all rehearsals and performances.
Equipment: the school has amplifiers available, however, you should bring any effects pedals or processors for that individual sound you are trying to find. Solid body guitars are necessary for the L-5 ensemble.

The Quiltmaster
The new CD by the UNT L5 Guitar Ensemble, The Quiltmaster, is now available. The cost is $15. To order see the recordings page.
Excerpts in mp3 format:
"Movement" by Gary Melvin
"East St. Louis Whipping Post" by Kevin Brunkhorst
"La Smiley Girl" by Kevin Patton
"Waltz For Bill" by Fred Hamilton
Photos from the studio (add link when photo directory is done).

UNT Latin Jazz Ensemble

This ensemble ventures into the musical fusion between the Latin American rhythmic expressions and the American Jazz compositional/improvisational forms. The members of the ensemble are students from the University of North Texas Jazz Studies program. The students perform multiple concerts every fall and spring semesters and have featured recognized guest artists such as Michael Spiro and others. The group has just released their first CD production entitled "En Clave" which is available for purchase at UNT's Jazz Studies Division office. The UNT Latin Jazz Ensemble has also performed at renowned cultural and music festivals here in Texas such as the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, The Alma y Fuego Latino Festival, Denton's Hispanic Heritage Festival and the Dallas International Festival. The group is led and directed by UNT percussion/Jazz studies faculty member José M. Aponte.

Jazz Repertory Ensemble

The Jazz Repertory Ensemble is a learning and performing group dedicated to the collection, study, preservation, and recreation of classic music from the entire history of jazz. The group is committed to playing compositions and arrangements or recreations of classic recorded performances by such jazz legends as Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Gil Evans, and Charles Mingus.

With over five hundred compositions in its library, ranging from small combo charts to big band works, the jazz repertory ensemble exposes students and audiences to the rich tradition and inspiring work of many legendary performers and writers. Under the direction of Dr. David Joyner, who founded the group in the late 1980s along with Neil Slater, the Jazz Repertory Ensemble established itself nationally as one of the country's few ensembles dedicated to the recreation of classic jazz. The group has recorded two CDs, Dallas Doings and Rockin' in Rhythm.

Starting in 2001, under the direction of John Murphy, the ensemble has kept its focus on classic jazz and has also begun exploring the work of contemporary jazz composers. The fall 2001 semester was devoted to works by Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton. The spring 2002 semester focused on big band works by Sam Rivers, whose trio joined the ensemble for a concert. In the fall 2002 semester the group played a broad selection of works from the Swing Era, including concerts with vocalists and dancers. Spring 2003 was devoted to the music of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, including works by Pete Rugolo, Bill Holman, Bill Russo, Johnny Richards, and Bob Graettinger. In Fall 2003 the group played The Birth of the Cool and new music for nonet. Spring 2004 was devoted to the music of Charles Mingus. In Fall 2004 the group performed music by Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal. The October 26, 2004 concert featured guest artist Jovino Santos Neto, a longtime member of Hermeto's group. In spring 2005 the group played standards from the from the teens through the 1940s based on the list compiled by Richard Crawford and Jeffrey Magee in Jazz Standards on Record. A concert at the Sammons Center for the Arts in Dallas on March 2, 2005 featured pianist Steven Harlos of the UNT Faculty in an arrangement of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue for 10-piece ragtime ensemble. The director of the Sammons Center called it "one of the most memorable [performances] in the sixteen-year history of Sammons Jazz." During the 2005-06 academic year, the ensemble performed a variety of works from the literature for large jazz ensemble, with emphasis on works by Duke Ellington and Count Basie. In November, 2005a and 2006, the group played two daytime concerts for students at Bass Hall in Fort Worth.

In 2008-2009, when Murphy began serving as Chair of the Division of Jazz Studies, the group was directed by adjunct instructor Joe Janes. In fall 2009, Rodney Booth, Lecturer in Jazz Studies, assumed the director post.

The Jazz Repertory Ensemble meets three times a week for 50 minutes and performs several times each semester, both on and off campus. Interested players should perform the generic jazz audition and check "Jazz Repertory Ensemble" on the audition sheet. Call-back auditions will be held during the first week of rehearsals.

Zebras

Contemporary Repertory Ensemble

Dan Haerle formed The Zebras in 1980 and directed it until Spring 2002 to give keyboard players a special opportunity to work with electronic instruments. The group has toured extensively, including a performance at the 2002 IAJE convention in Long Beach, CA.

Now directed by graduate teaching fellows, the Zebras are a contemporary repertory ensemble. In spring 2003 the Zebras performed the music of Weather Report; in fall 2003, Steely Dan; in spring 2004, Herbie Hancock; in Fall 2004, Stevie Wonder; in Spring 2005, new compositions by students.

Texas Commission on the Arts Sponsorship

Concerts by the One O'Clock Lab Band, Jazz Singers, and Jazz Repertory Ensemble can be arranged through the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Jazz Trombone Ensemble (The U-Tubes)

The U-Tubes is a group at UNT consisting of 6 tenors and 2 bass trombones with full rhythm section.
The ensemble performs new arrangements and original compositions by UNT students and faculty as well as selections from the classic trombone-band literature. MULB 1808

Info For Those Interested in Writing for The U-Tubes:

Instrumentation
6 tenor trombones (lead line can go up to a D 8VA above middle C, and the occasional high F)
2 bass trombones (can write down to a pedal F)
piano, bass, drums, guitar

Think modern, different, swinging 1:00 Lab Band sounds.
Use 1:00 recordings for inspiration and ideas. You can arrange
a standard, jazz standard, or compose an original. Here are some other great writers to check out for direction:

Slide Hampton
Thad Jones
Bob Brookmeyer
Walt Weiskopf
David Hazeltine
Bob Mintzer
Maria Schneider
etc, etc.

Groups to listen to for trombone-band style and possibilities:

New York Trombone Conspiracy
CD: "A Matter of Time"

Them Bones
CD: "You Asked For It: Them Bones"

Slide Hampton's World of Trombones
CDs:
"Spirit of the Horn"
"World of Trombones"

The Capitol Bones
CD: "Epistrophy"

"Cream of the Crop" Bobby Knight's Great American Trombone Company
Specifically:
"Recuerdos"
(All other charts for trombone ranges and textures)