Welcome to UC Jazz

Currently, UC Jazz consists of multiple combos, ranging in size from 3 to 8 musicians. The combos are divided into Intermediate and Advanced categories. Auditions for everyone are held at the beginning of every fall semester. UC Jazz provides rehearsal space, also available for individual use by UCJ students, for music and non-music majors, as well as for undergrad and graduate students.

The combos cover a wide range of repertoire and styles and much emphasis is placed on how to perform in an ensemble. Ensembles meet weekly, and along with our annual Fall and Spring concerts, UC Jazz students perform in over 40 events per year on and off campus. Student arrangements and compositions are always encouraged.

Noon Concerts

Walking past Sproul on Thursday after your morning classes? Come down to MLK anytime from 12-1 PM for some live jazz to spice up your afternoon! A different combo will be performing each week on Thursday at noon at MLK until November 30th, so come check us out!

JAZZ IS DEAD Week

Get ready for RRR Week as we showcase a flurry of FREE UC Jazz Ensemble CONCERTS featuring our Intermediate and Beginning Combos, our World Music Ensemble, our famous Big Band, and several student-led ensembles, all dispersed throughout the week! All shows will start at noon and will take place in various rooms in the Cesar Chavez Basement. See you there!

Instructors


  • Ted Moore

    UC Jazz Director - Percussion
    Advanced and Intermediate Combos

  • Frank Martin

    Piano
    Advanced Combo

  • Glenn Richman

    Bass
    Intermediate Combo

  • Marty Wehner

    Trombone
    Intermediate Combo

  • Dann Zinn

    Saxophone
    Advanced Combo

  • Kai Eckhardt

    Bass
    World Music Ensemble

Faculty Activities

Dann Zinn and Rachel Z
June 2024

On June 21 and 22, 2024, UC Jazz faculty member, Dann Zinn, joined the Rachel Z band for 2 nights at Smalls in NYC.

River Wide
January 2024

In January of 2024, UC Jazz Director, Ted Moore, will return to Rochester, NY to perform as guest artist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Ted's Brazilian jazz group, entitled Brasila, will perform original music from their release entitled, "River Wide" in a pops concert conducted by RPO pops conductor, Jeff Tyzik. The concerts will feature full symphonic arrangements of their music, most of which has been scored by Ted.

Petrus
November 2023

On Nov 3, 2023, Ted Moore's college trio, Petrus, released both studio and live recordings of their music from the 70's era. It has been remixed and contains all original material composed by members of the trio. It can be found on Spotify and other streaming services.

The Natural Order of Things
May 2020

Ted Moore, Director of UC Jazz, released his newest recording in May of 2020. The recording of the Ted Moore Trio features NY jazz icon Phil Markowitz on piano and world-renown bassist, Kai Eckhardt. It is comprised of all original compositions and arrangements by Ted Moore and is released on the Origin Records label. The recording is entitled, The Natural Order of Things." More info, along with sample tracks and downloads, is available at tedmoorejazz.com.

Day of Reckoning
April 2019

New CD by Dann Zinn out in April 2019 featuring many original Dann Zinn compositions.

O Espirito do Brasil
July 2017

Ted Moore has published a collection of 17 original Brazilian jazz tunes in his new book, O Espirito do Brasil. The tunes cover various aspects and styles of Brazilian jazz and some of this music has been recorded on his Brazilian band's cd, entitled River Wide.

Shangri La
August 2016

Shangri La is Dann Zinn's newest release, featuring the great Peter Erskine on drums, and Australian phenom Chris Robinson on guitar. The cd received a four star DownBeat review, and was chosen among the 'best of' 2015 by Downbeat. The Trio toured on the east coast and NYC in 2016, and played at the 2015 Monterey Jazz Festival, where it was named among the top ten 'must see' acts for the festival. Available at cdbaby

Officers

The officers hold weekly meetings and work closely with jazz director Ted Moore to organize and promote UC Jazz's many concerts and events and provide input on the direction of the organization. Although the officers have specific responsibilities according to their role/position, they also initiate and follow through on projects.

  • Jacob Isrow

    President - Drums
    Duties include: leading weekly meetings, upkeep of online resources/calendars, delegation of tasks to other officers.

  • Peter Le

    Vice President - Tenor Saxophone
    Duties include: assuming leadership responsibilities in the President's absence, overseeing completion of delegated tasks, developing and implementing UC Jazz events.

  • Sam Malekzadeh

    Gig Chair - Tenor Saxophone
    Duties include: booking paid UC Jazz trio gigs for events and other gigs as needed.

  • Risa Schapiro

    Public Relations/Social Media - Piano
    Duties include: promoting UC Jazz shows/events, creation of posters/graphics, organizing tabling, upkeep of the organization's Facebook pages.

  • Francesca Estrada

    Public Relations/Social Media - Bass
    Duties include: promoting UC Jazz shows/events, creation of posters/graphics, organizing tabling, upkeep of the organization's Facebook pages.

  • James Pearce

    Equipment Manager - Piano
    Duties include: managing the use and transfer of UC Jazz-owned equipment to and from UC Jazz events; ensuring availability of equipment where needed for official UC Jazz purposes.

  • Owen Lam

    Webmaster - Drums
    Duties include: developing and maintaining the UC Jazz website, e-mail lists, and other online resources.

  • Angelo Frisina

    Music Programming - Piano
    Duties include: creating and distributing lead sheets for originals, standards, and other tunes; using music writing software such as Musescore to transcribe, arrange, and transpose parts for UC Jazz archives.

  • Alex So

    Music Programming - Tenor Saxophone
    Duties include: creating and distributing lead sheets for originals, standards, and other tunes; using music writing software such as Musescore to transcribe, arrange, and transpose parts for UC Jazz archives.

Reach Out

We'd love to hear from you. Don't hesitate to reach out to Director Ted Moore with any questions.