The University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1

The University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1: Second Thoughts

by Jack Bowers
June 25, 2003

I would love to hear critics of jazz education who argue that students are taught “by the numbers” and can’t grasp the finer points of the music try to explain away albums such as this one by the University of North Florida’s superb (and consistently swinging) Jazz Ensemble 1.

As if to prove those detractors wrong, the ensemble opens with (and decisively nails) a pair of elaborate original compositions by faculty member Barry Greene (“Pentangle”) and tenor saxophonist Brian VanArsdale ...

The University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1: Things to Come

by Jack Bowers
April 12, 2002

Things to Come, the first album by the University of North Florida’s superlative Jazz Ensemble I under its new director, Keith Javors, easily affirms that UNF’s long–standing tradition of excellence, established under the late Rich Matteson, 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. As the saying goes, many bands can play fast enough to camouflage any slight missteps, ...

The University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1: Seems Like Old Times

by Jack Bowers
April 12, 2002

Jazz musicians seldom need a special reason to play — but on the other hand, having a special reason can often enliven the creative impulse. This album, recorded two years ago by the University of North Florida’s splendid Jazz Ensemble 1, is quite special indeed, dedicated as it is to the memory of the late Rich Matteson, Jazz educator and mellophonium maestro par excellence who founded the UNF Jazz Studies program in 1986 and led the ensemble until his retirement ...