Jazz

Rhythmic Spontaneity. Improvisational Ingenuity. Soulful Syncopation.

Elevate your artistry and captivate crowds through the dynamic, inventive, and emotive power of jazz performance.

Under the direction of Robert Lewis, the College of Charleston program allows you to develop exceptional skills in jazz performance while providing you with a  strong background in jazz improvisation, theory, arranging and composition in an experiential learning environment.

Courses of study are available for both majors and non-majors, with a concentration in Jazz Performance available for music majors. Five jazz combos and the Reading Band offer numerous performance opportunities for students.

Center Stage: Opportunities, Courses & Inspiration

From campus to career, explore the opportunities, courses and achievements possible through jazz.
  • Student Opportunities


    • Performance Opportunities: Perform in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and many other performance opportunities.
    • Faculty mentors: Opportunities to work and collaborate with a stellar faculty, all of who are actively performing, publishing and recording internationally.
    • Concerts & Networking: Take advantage of the colleges numerous concert series such as Magnetic South, International Piano Series, Charleston Music Fest, CofC Ensembles and 2nd Monday Series.
    • Epicenter of arts and culture: The City of Charleston hosts many festivals through out the year including the internationally acclaimed Spoleto Festival. The Charleston Symphony regularly invites world-class artists as soloists.

    Jazz in the Catalog
  • Courses Offered

    The Jazz Performance Concentration for Music Majors includes the following course opportunities:

    Applied Lessons:

    • Guitar
    • Piano
    • Bass
    • Drums
    • Saxophone
    • Flute
    • Trumpet/Trombone

    In addition to the 48 hours of courses required for the Music Major, the following courses are recommended:

    • 2 semesters of MUSC 286 Jazz Piano in place of Class Piano
    • Jazz Theory (MUSC 345)
    • 8 semesters of Jazz Combo (MUSC 359)
    • 8 semesters of Jazz Repertory Class (MUSC 295)
    Jazz Courses in the Catalog
  • Jazz Professional Faculty
    College of Charleston faculty members performing in a jazz combo.

    The College of Charleston jazz faculty are working professionals in the jazz field.

    This “real world” experience - whether touring the world with big name acts or leading their own more regional groups - informs the instruction of the next generation of jazz professionals.

    The faculty includes:

    • Robert Lewis, saxophone, director of jazz studies
    • Frank Duvall, bass
    • Gerald Gregory, piano
    • Tyler Ross, guitar
    • David Heywood, flute

     

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"It All Works Out" for Sax Alumnus

Composer, instructor, and saxophonist, Kevin Patton '14 has performed at Piccolo Spoleto, Savannah Black Heritage Festival, and the Atlanta Heritage Music Festival, where he received the Maestro Award. Listen to his single, "It All Works Out."

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