Music at Hamilton
Jazz Ensemble and Combo
The Jazz Ensemble focuses on the big band sound; it also provides opportunities for student improvisation within an ensemble context, and for students to have their own charts and arrangements read. The ensemble performs several concerts on and off campus each year.
Jazz Ensemble has played with, or been coached by, guest artists who include world-class musicians Milt Hinton (bass), Clark Terry (trumpet), the Mitchell/Ruff Duo (horn, bass, piano), and Joe Williams (vocal).
Current college-wide COVID-19 protocols require that unvaccinated students and employees must be masked at all times. For information about COVID-19 protocols for ensembles that were followed during 2020-2021, see the COVID-19 page.
Jazz Combo
The Combo is a small select band (or bands) made up of members of the larger ensemble. They rehearse under the direction of Prof. Woods, and they also rehearse on their own. They play concerts with the ensemble as well as their own gigs.
Jazz Improvisation
Prof. Woods teaches a partial-credit course each semester in Jazz Improvisation. Students in the ensembles gain more experience with improv, and students who are not yet ready to join the ensembles gain valuable experience and skill in jazz and improv.
Our Director
Michael Woods, Professor of Music, has been playing and performing jazz since the age of eleven. He holds a bachelor's degree in composition, two master's degrees in jazz and composition, and a DMA in Composition from Oklahoma University. Woods has been recognized for his jazz compositions, which have been perormed by the Tulsa Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. In 1978 he won a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. As a performer, Doc Woods is a fine soloist on electric bass and has performed widely with his fusion group ZOE.
Some of Our Tunes
John LaBarbera - Toothless Grin
Charlie Parker - Now's The Time
Matt Harris - Jungle Gym
Sammy Nestico Doin' Basie's Thing
Oliver Nelson - Stolen Moments
Duke Ellington - In a Mellow Tone
Jerome Kern - All the Things You Are
Sammy Nestico - The Plunger
Monk Rowe - At Both Ends
Thad Jones - Big Dipper
Clifford Brown - Joy Spring
Billy Strayhorn - Take the "A" Train
Thelonius Monk - Straight No Chaser
George Gershwin - Strike Up the Band
Cole Porter - I Love You
Kaper & Washington - Green Dolphin St.
Rogers & Hart - Have you Met Miss Jones
Kenny Dorham - Blue Bossa
Steely Dan - Peg
Cole Porter - You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Ray Henderson - Bye Bye Blackbird
Thad Jones - A Child is Born
Sonny Rollins - Oleo
Joe Zawinul - Birdland
Mike Woods - Life Saver
Recordings
Applications and Auditions
Submitting a Recording With Your College Application
Jazz instrumentalists (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, guitar, bass, piano, and drumset) applying to Hamilton College are encouraged to submit a recording as part of their application. Music recordings for applications to the College are submitted online with your application, and shared with the appropriate faculty member for review. Please include two musical works (or movements of works) that demonstrate contrasting styles, and that best show your musical abilities.
Auditions for Jazz Ensemble
Auditions take place during Orientation Week in August and during the first week of classes. Contact Professor Woods for more information.
