Event Date
This program is a celebration of the big band tradition, featuring jazz musicians from right here in our campus community. The bands will dig into Miles Davis's bebop staple Half Nelson and Jimmy McHugh's beloved standard Exactly Like You, among other selections. The two big bands of UC Davis are directed by Otto Lee, lecturer in music, who is a California native, saxophonist, educator, and composer. Lee received his D.M.A. degree in jazz studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 2017.
Program
To be announced.
About the Artists
California native Otto Lee is a saxophonist, educator, and composer. After completing a bachelor of arts degree in instrumental jazz performance (2010) and a master’s degree in music performance (2012) at California State University Fresno, he began his teaching career at CSU Fresno as well as Fresno Pacific University where he was in charge of the big band applied lessons. After spending a brief stint as the director of jazz studies at CSU Fresno, he decided to pursue a DMA in Jazz Studies from University of Colorado, Boulder (2017). Since returning home to California, Otto has maintained a successful private studio and works as a freelance musician throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area. Currently he is the director of jazz bands at UC Davis and Fresno Pacific University.
The Big Bands of UC Davis perform selections from the Great American Songbook including charts of standards by the likes of Gershwin, Porter and Ellington, as well as music by contemporary composers and jazz innovators.