Student conductor, brown hair in a bun, black button up collared shirt, directing concert ban with baton against dark background.

Jazz Bands

Close-up of trombonists playing on stage under purple-pink lights
Trombonists of the Big Band. (Phil Daley/UC Davis)

Otto Lee, director

About

There are two big bands and several combos. There is one culminating performance each quarter for the combos, and another for the two big bands.

How to Join

Everyone should schedule an audition according to the criteria below. Auditions for the jazz bands and combos will be held on

  • Thursday, September 24, 12–5 p.m. and 
  • Friday, September 25, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Room 214, Music Building

Audition Details

Big Bands
  • Instrumentalists
    • ​Performance of the melody of “Half Nelson” by Miles Davis
    • Scales (concert pitch): Eb major, D harmonic minor
    • Sight Reading example (8–16 measures)
  • Singers
    • Performance of the melody to “Exactly Like You” by Jimmy McHugh
    • Sight Reading example (8–16 measures)
    • Please provide your own backing track in your key.
  • Drummers
    • Drummers auditioning (a kit will be available) will be asked to play a variety of styles.
    • A kit will be provided
Young woman singing passionately into a microphone, holding sheet music on stage
Music major Dayci Dishni. (Carol Kepler/UC Davis)
Combos
  • Instrumentalists or Singers
    • Performance of “Song for Bilbao” by Pat Metheny
    • Send your schedule (class and/or work) to Dr. Lee via email (combo only).
  • Drummers
    • Bring sticks and brushes
    • Drummers auditioning for either band will be asked to play a variety of styles.
    • All drummers are expected to know the melodies of the tunes for the ensembles they are auditioning for.

Scheduling an Audition

  • Those auditioning for both Big Band and Combo need to sign up for only one audition time.
  • Everyone should audition for jazz band regardless of past membership.
  • For any questions, or any issues, contact Otto Lee ([email protected]).

Sign up for an audition time online.

Charts

Documents

Course Information

Rehearsals

Big Band

Each Big Band will meet on both Tuesday and Thursday for a total of 2 rehearsal hours a week.

  • T and TH 12:10–2:00 p.m., Mus140, Sec 1 (2 units)
  • T and TH 4:10–6:00 p.m., Mus140, Sec 3 (2 units)
Combos

Combos will meet a faculty member for 1 hour a week. Times will be worked out by each combo and the faculty leader after auditions have concluded and results have been posted. Combos will be limited to 6 players per group.

Those planning to be in a combo should have a free hour in their schedule 

  • between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and / or Thursdays, or 
  • Fridays between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Having said availability in your schedule does not guarantee that you will be placed in a combo this quarter.

  • 1 hour (arranged with the instructor), Mus 146 Sec 6 (1 unit)