Hello jazz players,

Thanks for your interest in Jazz Combos. We are looking forward to playing music together again! That said, as you know music performance remains in a state of uncertainty around the world. This Spring quarter, we hope to build on the foundation that was established in the fall and winter quarters, understanding that we'll need to be flexible during this time of pandemic. This year students both on and off-campus have been involved in multitrack recording as well as some successful jamming in real-time via Jacktrip. On campus, some in-person group playing was possible for part of the quarter, and at the moment it seems likely that there will be some in-person jamming on campus partway through the Spring quarter.

This spring there will be opportunities for students who live on campus and also for those who do not.

All students who did not participate in the fall or winter or who have not been in touch directly with Jim Nadel by email regarding their intentions for Spring quarter, must fill out the form below as soon as possible if they'd like be involved this spring.

If you haven't communicated with Nadel and want to play, Now’s the Time to:
• Read this basic info and complete the form below as soon as possible. Sooner is better and will get you earlier access to audition/placement materials if needed.
• Players new to the program will need to submit an audition recording by 6pm March 28, 2021 to ensure consideration. Fill out the form to receive the links for the audition play-a-long tracks.

Music 181: Jazz Combo
Spring 2021
1 Unit
Rehearsal times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings or another time TBA.
Instructor’s contact: jazzline@stanford.edu 
On-campus students: register for Music 181 sec 04
Off-campus students: register for Music 181 sec 07
All students must register and Graduate students can request zero unit option. Please let Nadel know to have the required zero-unit code sent to you.

On-campus students:
The Dept of Music has created several dedicated JackTrip rooms for individual on-campus drummers and pianists, and the Dept may also be able to help students both off and on campus with JackTrip gear. (Contact Jim Nadel). Students residing on campus might additionally have the possibility of playing live, in-person (real time, real space) at some point during the quarter if it becomes safe to do so. The Dept of Music is monitoring the situation and actively working toward the goal of live music on campus. There may also be some outdoor options for all students, and indoor options for students who can play with a mask, or if protocols change to allow wind instruments. On-campus students registering for sec 04 will be able to participate remotely in JackTrip and/or multitrack recording (see below) and also play in-person when/if that is possible.

All students:
Online Jazz Combos:

This quarter there will be two types of online jazz combos which will focus on one of or a combination of these two formats:
1. making multi-track recordings
2. playing live via JackTrip software

Each student will need access to their instrument and a place to play. (On-campus drummers and pianists can sign up to practice or play in the Dept of Music.)

These groups are described below. There will also be occasional online masterclasses and/or discussion sessions with professional players including our resident artist Joshua Redman.

Audition/Placement recordings:
New students who are looking for a group will need to submit an audition/placement recording to demonstrate their experience level by the end of the day on March 28, 2021  to ensure consideration. After you fill out the form, you will be sent info and a link to access the two play along tracks (a blues and a samba). You will need to make and submit a recording of yourself playing along with these two tracks. This can be done informally on a smart phone, computer or pretty much any recording device.

Registration:
All participating students must register for either Music 181 sec 04 (if on-campus) for online or sec 07 if remote. All combos and instructors will be initially coordinated through these two sections and other sections will not be recognized at this time. Graduate students with unit limitations must request the zero-unit option.

All new students:
• Fill out the Jazz Combo Info form below and register
• A recording demonstrating your experience level is one key ingredient in getting a match with a combo. There are normally groups formed for players at all levels of prior experience who match with others who are able to meet and rehearse at the same time and who together form a balanced instrumentation.

Returning students who want to form their own group should contact Nadel at jazzline@stanford.edu

1. Multi-track Recording Jazz Group – this group will coordinate via Zoom and email. The group will choose and arrange repertoire, discuss approaches to improvisation and ensemble playing, and coordinate production with a goal to make multi-track combo recordings of the group. Basic DAW experience is required but this can be learned in the first two weeks of the quarter.

2. JackTrip live online Jazz Combos – these combos will form with the goal of playing interactive jazz as soon as possible in real-time online. JackTrip students will need a place to play where they have access to a computer and reliable internet access via ethernet, at a time when other students with compatible jazz experience are also available to play. With your help Jim Nadel will coordinate this.

JackTrip will not work for everyone because there are distance limitations and technological requirements.

We will form as many groups as we can of students who:
• share compatible experience and together create instrumental balance,
• are located within 500 miles of each other (this is a limitation of the speed of light and internet jitter).
• are available to rehearse at the same time, and
• can manage the necessary technological requirements. Some technical requirements are relatively easy to solve (e.g., to get the required Ethernet connection at my apartment, I have to plug an Ethernet cable from my computer to the wifi modem (a 100 ft. Ethernet cable is $12.99 at Home Depot), though depending on your instrument and computer, you may need other gear too. You will need an Audio Interface. (The Dept of Music may be able to help). Ear buds with a mic can work but headphones are helpful, and a good mic always sounds better.

The software is free though initial set-up can require patience depending somewhat on group size - duos are easier than quartets. For new JackTrip groups the beginning of the quarter will be spent getting these things worked out with a goal of playing music together as soon as possible. The good news is that once up and running, you will be able to play with others in real-time and will be well-positioned for the future, even if you change groups or location. In the meantime, you can also participate in multitrack recording.

The University administration is closely monitoring the performance safety situation.

Please fill out the Jazz Combo Info form, and then we can more easily keep you updated.

Cheers,
Jim Nadel

Contacts for all Jazz Combos (Music 181)  Jim Nadel: jazzline@stanford.edu

Contacts for other Jazz Ensembles:
• Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble (MUSIC 161E): Murray Low, murlow@stanford.edu
• Jazz Orchestra (MUSIC 161B): Mike Galisatus, mgsjo55@stanford.edu