UW-Eau Claire Jazz Ensembles receive the prestigious Down Beat Award for Best College Big Band and Grammy Award nominations.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble I is recognized as one of the premiere jazz ensembles in the United States. The ensemble has toured throughout Europe and the Pacific Rim. In 1991 they performed in China, being recognized as the first jazz ensemble to tour this country since its opening to the western world. The ensemble records a CD each year, all of which have come under critical acclaim.
The critically acclaimed UW-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble CDs are reviewed by professional jazz musicians and leading national jazz educators.
Jazz in Clear Water
"Back in Town"
Comp. Joe d'Etienne
Kristin Buchholz, alto sax
Jamey Simmons, trumpet
"One of the real pleasures I've had in recent years was to be able to work with Bob Baca and the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble I. How rare it is to find an ensemble where talent is the chief prerequisite and everyone involved has the same attitude about music.
There is an almost unbelievable fire and boost to the band, and much of the answer lies in the sheer quality of the music and the spirit with which it is played. the talent is outstanding and the repertoire carefully selected and expressed honestly."
--Sammy Nestico
(Arranger, Composer)
Jazz in Clear Water - "In Transit"
"Lotus Blossom"
comp. Kenny Dorham
arr. Marcus Printup
Jamey Simmons, trumpet
Dennis Luginbill, trumpet
"This edition of the band is one of the finest college bands that I have heard in many years. The ensemble has a wonderful, polished sound and its own distinctive personality. It is a highly disciplined unit that swings like mad. The individual sections are outstanding and the soloists are well-schooled, gifted and thoroughly professional. A final thought: Hold on to your hat. All but one of these fine young musicians is an undergraduate!!"
--David Baker
(Composer, Performer, Jazz Educator)
Director of Jazz Studies, Indiana University
Jazz in Clear Water - "Brilliant Corners"
1996 Down Beat Award
"Brilliant Corners"
comp. Thelonius Monk
arr. Jamey Simmons
Jamey Simmons, trumpet
Ryan Lehman, tenor sax
"Leilani's Mirror"
comp./arr. Geoff Keezer
Jason Craft, piano
Ryan Lehman, tenor sax
"I am tremendously impressed with the maturity and musicality (particulary) of the ensemble work on this CD. I could write three or four pages of laudatory analysis of the music on "Brilliant Corners." Let's just leave it at the fact that I am pleased to know that this kind of integrity and artistry still exist in jazz education in this country.
--Bob Freedman
(Grammy Award Winning Arranger, Composer, Producer)
Producer of Winton Marsalis' "Hot House Flowers" Album, Former Faculty member: Berklee College of Music in Boston"
Jazz in Clear Water - "Harpoon"
Grammy Award Nomination
"Time Check"
comp./arr. Don Menza
Clay Pufuhl, tenor sax
Ryan Lehman, tenor sax
Matt Kendziera, drums
"Wrappin' It Up"
comp. Fletcher Henderson
trans. David Berger
Tom Luer, alto sax
Clay Pufuhl, tenor sax
Kyle Newmaster, trumpet
"One of the best bands I've had the pleasure of playing with--amateur or pro. They not only play extremely well but they are great guys to work with."
--Carl Fontana
(Trombonist)
Soloist with Woody Herman's "Third Herd," Stan Kenton, Louis Bellson and Lionel Hampton
"As someone who learned jazz by trial and error through jamming with friends, I have always been suspect of some of the merits of jazz education. After performing with this fine ensemble, it dispelled most of those fears. I felt the solo quality of the players was mature, but was particularly impressed with how musical the ensemble played as a whole."
--Charlie Byrd
(Guitarist)
Jazz in Clear Water - "Hoe Down"
1998 Down Beat Award
"Prelude, Fugue and Riffs"
comp. Leonard Bernstein
Jason Craft, piano
The Saxophone Section
Terry Songer, clarinet
"Saxes that spit fire, bones that bite like sharks, trumpets that soar the heavens and a rhythm section that makes you want to dance. Bob Baca has shaped this ensemble into a masterpiece and I thank him and the band for inspiring me."
--Byron Stripling
(New York Freelance Trumpet Artist)
Jazz in Clear Water - "A Timeless Vision"
"Serenity"
comp. Joe Henderson
arr. Slide Hampton
Clay Pufuhl, tenor sax
Nick Poss, piano
"Um Tipo Curtido"
comp. Michael Nelson
Clay Pufuhl, tenor sax
Bill Olson, bari sax
Matt Mealey, trumpet
Kyle Newmaster, trumpet
Matt Franko, trombone
"The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Big Band represents all that is good and great with jazz education in America. The "founding fathers" of the jazz education movement would smile and be proud of the way these young musicians play. The band it top-rate...Bob Baca and his students deserve the highest accolades. I had a ball playing with them, and wish them all the very best in their music careers."
--Peter Erskine
(Grammy Award Winning Drummer)
Jazz in Clear Water - "Rhapsody"
"Slings and Arrows"
comp. Michael Brecker
arr. Rob Lussier
Vincent Rose, guitar
Kyle Newmaster, trumpet
Jason Craft, piano
Bill Olson, tenor sax
"Closing out the ensemble's diversified program [on this CD] is "Joyous Reunion," an Ernie Watts original that brings us back to present day. It is an appropriate barnburner, cutting no corners with a league of five soloists tearing up the changes. One may ask, "How is it possible for an all undergraduate group of students to play on this level?" The answer is a five big band and fifteen combo jazz program with students who have a passion for honoring the music and carrying on a national tradition. One large triumph."
--Ted Allison
(Program Director KBEM Radio, Twin Cities)
"Exciting band with some outstanding soloists! This is a great jazz program. I wish some of the professional bands I've worked with sounded this good."
--Ed Calle
(Freelance Musician, former saxophonist with the Miami Sound Machine)
Jazz in Clear Water - "Things to Come"
2001 Down Beat Award
Grammy Award Nomination
"African Skies "
comp. Michael Brecker
arr. Rob Lussier
Vincent Rose, guitar
Andy Frisinger, tenor sax
"This CD features all five of the UW-Eau Claire Big Bands...from Jazz V on Fred Sturm's new and exciting "Riverscape" to the blistering tempos of Jazz I on Dizzy Gillespie's "Things to Come." This potpourri of jazz is a fair representation of the current jazz program and the progress of our jazz studies students."
--Ron Keezer
Emeritus Professor of Percussion, UW-Eau Claire
Jazz in Clear Water - "Vernal Fields"
2002 Down Beat Award
"Inner Urge"
comp. Joe Henderson
John Timmers, tenor sax
"Jovian Comets"
comp. Mark Buselli
Jesse Stacken, piano
"The spirit and enthusiasm of the band was evident, and they not only gave a great performance, they had fun doing it! I certainly had a ball, and look forward to any opportunity to play with this band!"
--Lewis Nash
(New York Freelance Jazz Drummer)
"Throughout the "Vernal Fields" CD I was very impressed with the rich and skillful "woofer" sounds produced by Jeff Dahlseng (bass trombone), Graydon Peterson (bass), and Jarret Cooper (baritone saxophone). The tight ensemble work and the dynamics by all three sections constantly amaze me. The rhythm section, led by drummer Adrian Suarez, was also exceptional. If you ever get a chance to hear the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble I, one of the premier university jazz bands in the U.S., don't miss it. It just might be one of the best big bands you'll ever hear."
--Jerry Swanberg
Host of "Big Band Scene" on KBEM/Jazz 88 - Minneapolis
Vice President - Twin Cities Jazz Society
A Salute to the Big Bands
"Rhapsody in Blue"
comp. George Gershwin
Penelope Cecchini, piano
UW-Eau Claire Strings
French Horn Section
"Northwest Wisconsin seems an unlikely environment for the training of jazz virtuosos, doesn't it? Names like "Beale Street" or "the French Quarter" don't quite sping to mind--and are very hard to locate on the Greater Eau Claire City Map. Images of "the Iditarod" or "wind chill" seem more in keeping. Ahmad Jamal and Charlie Mingus may have played Eau Claire--they did--but they certainly didn't attend school here.
We hope you enjoy this collection of Big Band swing standards. They're classics in the literature of Big Band jazz, played by some of America's most gifted young musicians--they're comers! On this CD you'll find selections chosen from nine previous UW-Eau Claire Jazz Band I recordings. We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy--"A Salute to the Big Bands."
--Dr. Wil Denson
Professor Emeritus, Music & Theatre Arts
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Christmas Day, My Favorite Day
"Winter Wonderland"
featuring Five by Design
arr. by Andrew Neesley
"Christmas Day,
My Favorite Day"
featuring Michael Andrew
"To help celebrate the Christmas season, the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Studies family, made up of current students and alumni, collaborated on this collection of songs to celebrate the season. Joining Jazz Ensemble I to create this CD were composer Jamey Simmons (BM '94, BME '99), composer Kyle Newmaster (BME '99), vocalist Michael Andrew (BA '87), Five by Design vocal quintet, and LA recording saxophonist Sal Lozano. (Link to a news article about the CD.)
We hope our musical contribution puts you in a festive spirit and may the wonder of the season fill you with peace, love and joy."
--Robert Baca
Director of Jazz Studies
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Jazz in Clear Water - "Lockbox"
"Lockbox"
comp. Jamey Simmons
Matt Rongstad, tenor sax
"Well, Bob Baca and the UWEC Jazz Ensemble I have done it again. Another terrific CD produced right here in the heartland featuring an innovative program, tight ensemble work, and wonderful soloists. The consistent high quality of this program is an inspiration to all of us."
--Dean Sorenson
Director of Jazz Studies
University of Minnesota
Jazz in Clearwater - "Bulería, Soleá, y Rumba"
"Bulería, Soleá, y Rumba"
comp. Maria Schneider
Matt Rongstad, tenor sax
Tom Krochock, trumpet
"What amazing playing on this recording! I can hardly believe what they did with all this very difficult and diverse music. I'd been shocked when they first told me they wanted to play Bulería, Soleá, y Rumba (it's the most difficult piece I've ever written), but I was even more shocked when I heard how well they played it! These are indeed very dedicated, passionate and impressive young musicians. Great recording!"
--Maria Schneider
(Grammy Award Winning Composer)
