Jazz Small Groups

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Under the direction of acclaimed UVA jazz faculty Pete Spaar, Mike Rosensky, and Calvin Brown, the Jazz Small Groups bring together passionate musicians in dynamic ensembles ranging from classic quartets to powerhouse octets. Open to players from beginner-intermediate through advanced levels, these groups dive into the heart of jazz through exciting performances, creative collaboration, and real-world stage experience.

From polished semester concerts in Old Cabell Hall, sharing the stage with world-renowned guest artists, and community outreach performances across Charlottesville, students have multiple opportunities to perform. The year culminates in the highly anticipated “Jazz on the Lawn,” a vibrant celebration of music, artistry, and community.

Drawing from a rich spectrum of jazz traditions, the repertoire ranges from the timeless sounds of legends like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Antonio Carlos Jobim to modern works by Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Wynton Marsalis, and many new artists, alongside original compositions by both faculty and students, creating a fresh, energetic, and deeply personal musical experience.