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University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble I Bio The University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble I is the flagship ensemble of the prestigious University of North Florida Jazz Studies Program, headed by legendary alto saxophonist Bunky Green. Under the direction of program founder Rich Matteson (1986-90), Bruce Silva (1990-95), Don Zentz (1995-98), J.B. Scott (1998-2000), and currently Dr. Keith Javors, the UNF Jazz Ensemble I has enjoyed the reputation of being one of the finest collegiate jazz ensembles worldwide, an even more impressive honor considering that all members of the UNF Jazz Studies Program are undergraduates. The UNF Jazz Ensemble I has won multiple awards (both individually and as a group) and has been consistently recognized by such publications as Jazz Times, the Jazz Educators Journal, and Down Beat for its improvisational prowess and precision ensemble playing. Most recently, the Ensemble and Program won their latest string of National Down Beat Student Music Awards; Best College Jazz Band of the year for Second Thoughts (2003). The year previous, the ensemble won Outstanding Performance in the College Big Band Category for their 2002 release, Things To Come. Both albums have been met with acclaim from leading journals as well as luminaries such as Jimmy Heath, James Moody, and Maria Schneider. The Ensemble has performed twice at the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), twice as the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), the Vienne Jazz Festival (France), IAJE Conferences in Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New Orleans, and Toronto, twice at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the Suncoast Jazz Festival in Tampa, twice at the Savannah Jazz Festival, twice at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival, twice at the Mobile Jazz Festival, and annually at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The band was recently selected to perform on Joe Segal's Jazz Party At Sea this coming November. A special component of the UNF Jazz Studies Program is the Great American Jazz Series, which regularly brings in stellar jazz artists as residents. Through the Series and additional opportunities, the UNF Jazz Ensemble I has performed in concert with more than eighty esteemed artists including Herbie Hancock, The Count Basie Orchestra, Joe Henderson, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Dave Brubeck, Joe Williams, Dianne Reeves, Louie Bellson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Arturo Sandoval, Jimmy Heath, Wynton Marsalis, and Branford Marsalis. More information on the UNF Jazz Ensemble I is available by contacting Dr. Keith Javors at the Department of Music, (904) 620-2961 or kjavors@unf.edu, or by visiting www.unfjazzensemble.com. University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble I Quotes "Isn't it enough that Florida's institutions of higher learning have dominated college football in recent years? Does the state also have to produce what is probably one of the best jazz ensembles in the country...The UNF ensemble perhaps comes closest all-around to matching a professional big band for polish, power and dynamic shading...The kids play the heck out of it all...." -Down Beat Usually with a student ensemble, there is a giveaway that it is not a professional unit. Here, clues are lacking. This band is simply a knockout..." -Jazz Times "Readily an object of commendation, the UNF Jazz Ensemble I justifies its winning recognition. Matching and meeting all the usual adjudication criteria, the ensemble is bolstered by fine soloists, lead players, and student composer/arrangers..." -Jazz Educators Journal "The band is fantastic and a real powerhouse." -Dave Brubeck "In these difficult times, it is comforting to know that there's a new generation of young musicians that will go into the world spreading such intelligence and beauty. It is clear how dedicated these musicians are to developing their talent. Clearly, the talent of these individuals is enormous, as is their enthusiasm. I expect to see many of these names pop up again and again. I had the great pleasure to work with many of these students not long ago, and still remember the performance which they gave. It left me astounded. I always speak very highly of the program at UNF. I wish each of these musicians much luck and thank them for what they give to all of us." -Maria Schneider "The UNF Jazz Ensemble I is one of the best university bands I have worked with, and I'm sure you will agree after listening to this CD. What I like most about the band's playing is how they put their own stamp on the music. As writers, soloists, and ensemble players, there is a distinctive sound happening. I look forward to hearing more in the future from this fine band." -Bob Mintzer "The precision and performance level of this ensemble is reflective of the fine faculty at UNF. The future is looking bright-A wonderful program." -Jimmy Heath "One expects it in Chicago, L.A., and New York, but not from a small jazz program in North Florida, specifically Jacksonville...A big band with a small tight combo feel, functioning as one large organic unit, and with an uncanny excellence between improvisation and ensemble is exactly what one hears throughout the entire CD...I salute Dr. Keith Javors for being the indefatigable worker whose knowledge and positive energy pulled it all together into a consummate whole. The bar has been raised. LISTEN." -Bunky Green "...I was very pleased to find a group that works their heart out. Director Keith Javors has produced a tight, enthusiastic group that plays more seriously than a lot of professional groups, and makes good music because of it. Practice does make perfect!" -Bob Katz "...UNF's long-standing tradition of excellence is unequivocally alive and well. No shaky links in this chain; the ensemble is impressive on every number while the soloists extemporize with maturity and awareness beyond their years...If this album represents a preview of Things To Come from the UNF Jazz Ensemble, kindly reserve a space for me near the head of the line for whatever is to follow." -AllAboutJazz.com "...The players transcend their youth..." -Florida Times Union "...It's hard to believe that the musicians are simply university students, still in the process of learning their craft. Ten years from now, many of these names will appear on marquees and in magazines." -Folio Weekly "...a tantalizing feast of the new, fresh directions that jazz is taking...When the group played with a full, big band sound it often was easy to forget they are undergraduate music majors..." -The Island Packet "The question that arises when one reviews new albums by the country's growing number of outstanding university-based Jazz ensembles is, how much higher can it go...Rich Matteson would no doubt have been proud of what his twenty-first century legatees have accomplished." -Cadence Check out the artist's website: http://www.unfjazzensemble.com Track List: 1. Cherry Juice 2. Viscous 3. Finding Home 4. The Peacocks 5. The Blessing 6. Ray's Idea 7. While You Were Gone 8. West Side Story Medley 9. Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered (Live) 10. Things To Come (Live) Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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