Jazz Performance; B.Mus. (Minor)

For all instruments including voice (except drums, see drums requirements below)

Prepare three pieces, one from each of the three categories below (melody + improvised solo). If performing a tune not listed, bring a lead sheet for the rhythm section.

Categories (choose one piece from each):

• Blues - Billie’s Bounce, Au Privave, Straight No Chaser, Tenor Madness, Sonny Moon for Two, Blues Walk.
• Ballads - Body and Soul, What’s New, I Can’t Get Started, I Fall in Love Too Easily.
• Jazz Standards - Blue Bossa, Solar, All the Things You Are, So What, Green Dolphin Street, What Is This Thing Called Love, Stella by Starlight, Four, Night and Day.

Classical Study or Jazz Vocalese

• Short study or étude of your choice
  Jazz Voice: Instead of a classical study, prepare and memorize 1–2 choruses of vocalese and the melody head. Choose one of the below songs:
  • Doodlin’ — Sarah Vaughan (No Count Sarah)
  • Red Top — King Pleasure with Betty Carter (Red Top)
  • Clearly Beloved / Dearly Beloved — Meredith D’Ambrosio (Beware of Spring)
• Transcription
  Choose a recording. Memorize and play/sing along to the solo with the original recording (e.g. Charlie Parker’s solo on Now’s the Time).
  Bring the recording (mp3 file, CD, etc. ) + necessary adapters or speaker to play the song for live auditions.

• Bassists: Demonstrate walking lines + solo ability on all three pieces.
• Pianists & Guitarists: Demonstrate comping + solo ability on all three pieces.
• Jazz Vocalists: Memorize all repertoire and provide 3 copies of lead sheets for accompanists.
• Jazz Drums: Bring cymbals, sticks, brushes, felts, cymbal sleeves, hi-hat clutches.
  1. Prepare a 2–3 minute study to show rudimental skills.
  2. Prepare a memorized transcription (1–2 choruses) of an important jazz drummer (e.g. Max Roach, Joe Morello, Roy Haynes, Art Blakey) and play along with the original recording.
  3. Demonstrate the following proficiencies on any of these pieces: Billie’s Bounce, Au Privave, Straight No Chaser, All the Things You Are, So What, Tenor Madness; Sonny Moon for Two; Blues Walk, Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight; Four; Night and Day:
     • Slow/Medium/Fast Swing
     • Jazz Shuffle
     • Straight-8th styles (ECM, Cuban, Brazilian)
     • Afro-Cuban 12/8
     • Trading 4s/8s or choruses on blues, 32-bar AABA, and alternating Latin/Swing tunes while keeping form
     • Playing with brushes and sticks, switching smoothly between them
  4. Sight reading: a typical drum chart + a rudimental snare drum solo.