UNC Jazz Press

Home
United States
Greeley, CO
UNC Jazz Press

UNC Jazz Press prints, publishes, and distributes jazz music all over the world, and is one of the largest catalogs of its kind.

In 1977, UNC Jazz Studies Director Gene Aitken founded Jazz Press in an effort to help publish outstanding student composers and alumni and help them gain recognition. The first charts were produced using a technique from Los Angeles called the Ozalid Process. UNC students and LA copyists copied parts and Jazz Studies TAs were responsible for producing the finished parts. Guitar student Fred Hamil

ton and drummer Chris Hughes were the first students to have charts published through Jazz Press, and Flesher-Hinton Music’s Ken Anderson agreed to sell their charts in his store in Denver. When Fred Hamilton interviewed for a job at Bowling Green University, he was recognized for his published charts. Wanting to increase exposure for his student composers, Gene placed ads in the National Association of Jazz Educators’ magazine and sold charts at conventions and through word of mouth. As advertising spread, requests for publication began to come in from students at other schools. When notable composers such as Vince Mendoza and Jim McNeely began to send charts, Gene Aitken opened the Jazz Press doors to original compositions and arrangements of students and established composers alike. The increasing financial gains from Jazz Press began to help support the UNC Jazz Studies Program, funding scholarships and the purchase of departmental equipment. At this time, Jazz Press also began to publish copyrighted material, paying royalties to composers and publishing houses such as Hal Leonard and Warner Brothers. In January 2009, UNC Jazz Press launched the current website and began functioning as an online store. Today, Jazz Press is one of the largest jazz publishers in the world, holding the rights to nearly 3,000 charts for big band, vocal jazz, combos and chamber groups. Having a publishing company within the university gives UNC Jazz ensembles access to the latest compositions and helps to stimulate creative flow within the ever-growing program. There are no limitations to the complexity of music available through Jazz Press; interested parties are able to find pieces for beginning jazz ensembles and professional bands alike. Charts are printed to order, which makes Jazz Press eco-friendly and prevents waste. As UNC Jazz Press continues to grow, it continues to increase the body of work carried out in its missions: making available the highest caliber of creative jazz music and providing outreach and service to the global jazz and jazz education communities.

03/28/2025

🎷 Meet Dr. Kim Gast, a versatile musician and dedicated educator! 🎶

Dr. Gast is a Professor of Music at St. Cloud State University, where he teaches saxophone, jazz history, applied jazz improvisation/harmony, and music fundamentals. For 28 years, he directed the SCSU Jazz Ensemble, bringing in incredible artists like Bob Mintzer, Frank Mantooth, and Bobby Shew, and leading the group on tours to Germany, France, and Mexico. 🌍🎤

A talented saxophonist, Dr. Gast is equally at home in jazz and concert music. He's performed at North American Saxophone Alliance conventions and won the Rocky Mountain Concerto competition. As a jazz artist, he's worked with prominent groups like the Cedar Avenue Big Band and the Jerry O’Hagan Jazz Orchestra. 🎷✨

Dr. Gast also leads the Twin Cities Jazz Imports, a quintet that's been supported by local grants and performed regularly in the St. Cloud community. His passion for music and his positive approach to teaching make him a standout in the world of music education. 🙌🎶

A native of Denver, Dr. Gast earned his degrees from the University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado. He’s a veteran teacher who brings humor and heart to every lesson! 💡💙

Check out his arrangements on our website!

03/14/2025

🎶✨ Celebrating the incredible legacy of Robert Washut, Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Northern Iowa! 🌟

With over 40 years of dedication to jazz education and performance, Robert made a lasting impact on the world of music. From 1980-2002, he served as the Director of Jazz Studies at UNI, where he led the award-winning UNI Jazz Band One for 22 years. Under his leadership, the band recorded 11 CDs (two earning 5-star ratings from DownBeat magazine) and toured Europe three times! 🌍🎷

Not only is Robert an accomplished jazz composer and arranger, but he’s also a sought-after clinician and adjudicator. He has received numerous commissions from collegiate and high school jazz ensembles, symphony orchestras, and professional jazz artists. His works are published by top music publishers like Kendor Music, UNC Jazz Press, and C.L. Barnhouse.

In addition to his work as an educator and composer, Robert is a talented jazz pianist and founder of Orquesta Alto Maiz, a popular Latin jazz band that performed for 27 years and recorded 10 CDs. 🎹💿 His most recent work, Journey to Knowhere, was released in 2018, featuring original compositions for jazz dodectet.

His outstanding contributions have earned him prestigious honors such as:
🏅 Iowa IAJE Hall of Fame (2003)
🏅 Des Moines Hall of Fame (2013)
🏅 Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Orfeus Award (2018)
🏅 Iowa Bandmaster Association Honorary Lifetime Membership (2019)

Thank you, Robert Washut, for your years of dedication to the world of jazz and music education! 🎶👏

02/24/2025

🚨🎶 Attention high school and junior high music educators! 🎶🚨
Grab some groove with Firsts by Mike Conrad! This emotional yet infectious straight eighth composition showcases the band’s 1st Alto and 1st Tenor saxophonists. Our graduate students at the University of Northern Colorado have created helpful video tutorials to guide your students through each part! In the video below, Gavin Allen-Dunn breaks down the opportunities for shaping piano lines and adding your own dynamic flair to this piece.
Grab your copy of Firsts by Mike Conrad now, available for download through UNC Jazz Press:

https://www.uncjazzpress.com/product-p/2709.htm

Let’s get your students groovin’ with Firsts!

02/22/2025

🎶✨ Meet Jeremy Levy: Grammy-nominated Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator! ✨🎶
With over 15 years in Los Angeles' vibrant music scene, Jeremy has worked across all mediums – from blockbuster films to hit video games. 🎥🎮
🎧 Recent credits include:
* The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
* Frozen 2 ❄️
* Star Wars: Battlefront I & II 🌌
* Magic the Gathering: Throne of Eldraine ✨
As an orchestrator and arranger, his musical touch has graced everything from The LEGO Movie 2 to Wandavision and even collaborations with legends like Babyface, Common, and Killer Mike! 🎤🎼
🎼 As a leader of the Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra and co-leader of the Budman/Levy Orchestra, he’s also been recognized for his jazz albums like From There to Here and The Planets: Reimagined. 🌟
With his Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement for his track “Uranus: The Magician” from The Planets: Reimagined, Jeremy’s sound continues to inspire and captivate. 🌌

Check out his arrangements on our website!
https://www.uncjazzpress.com/SearchResults.asp?mfg=Jeremy+Levy

02/15/2025

🚨🎶 Calling all high school and junior high music educators! 🎶🚨
Coming at you with a double post today! If you missed our first post celebrating saxophonist extraordinaire Jeff Coffin, be sure to visit our page and give him some love through our last post!

Want to grab some groove? Check out Firsts by Mike Conrad! This emotional yet catchy straight eighth composition features the band's 1st Alto and 1st Tenor saxophonists. Our Graduate students at the University of Northern Colorado have recorded videos to help your ensemble members nail their parts! Check out the video below, where our alumni bassist Eirik Haugbro explains the importance of steady time and how the bass drives the band's groove through consistent time feel.

Click the link to download Firsts by Mike Conrad directly from UNC Jazz Press:
https://www.uncjazzpress.com/product-p/2709.htm

Let’s get your students groovin' with Firsts!

02/14/2025

🎷✨ Celebrate the Genius of Jeff Coffin! ✨🎷

Jeff Coffin is an internationally recognized saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and educator, with a musical journey that has taken him around the world since the late 20th century. A three-time Grammy Award winner, Coffin made his mark as a member of Béla Fleck & the Flecktones (1997–2010) and later joined the Dave Matthews Band in 2009 following the passing of LeRoi Moore. 🏆🎶

Not just a renowned performer, Jeff leads his own group, Jeff Coffin & the Mu'tet, and has shared the stage with a who's who of legendary musicians, including Branford Marsalis, Maceo Parker, Van Morrison, Phish, Willie Nelson, My Morning Jacket, Galactic, George Porter Jr., and so many others! 🌍🎸

Jeff’s approach to the saxophone blends influences from jazz, funk, world music, and rock. His unique sound—often playing two saxes at once—pays tribute to sax legend Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Known for his deep commitment to education, Jeff has taught at Vanderbilt University, led over 300 clinics globally, and is a tireless advocate for aspiring musicians of all ages. 🎓🎷

As the founder of Ear Up Records and co-founder of AfricaNashville, Jeff fosters cross-cultural collaboration between African and American artists in Nashville. 💥🎼

In October 2024, Jeff was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Dave Matthews Band, a momentous achievement in his illustrious career! 🙌

An avid photographer, Jeff views visual and musical composition as deeply connected. All the photography for his recent albums is his own work. 📸✨

👉 Discover Jeff Coffin's compositions now available through UNC Jazz Press! These big band arrangements will groove hard and fit ensembles of all levels. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to explore Jeff’s innovative sound and elevate your library today! 🔥

https://www.uncjazzpress.com/category-s/158.htm

02/08/2025

🚨🎶 Attention high school and junior high music educators, and welcome to the beginning of our instructional series! 🎶🚨

Looking to add fresh rep to your jazz ensemble? "Why not "be the first" to try Firsts by Mike Conrad? Firsts is an emotional yet catchy straight eighth composition which features the band's 1st Alto and 1st Tenor saxophonists. Our own Graduate students at the University of Northern Colorado have also recorded videos to help your ensemble members nail their parts! See below, a video of our alumni drummer Trent Wells, explaining how to lock in with the bass player and set up important figures for the band.

Click the link to download Firsts by Mike Conrad directly from UNC Jazz Press:
https://www.uncjazzpress.com/product-p/2709.htm
Let’s get your students groovin' with Firsts!

02/06/2025

🎶 Morgan Ames: A True Force in the Music World! 🎶

From apprenticing with the legendary Quincy Jones to producing the New Directions Veterans Choir, Morgan Ames has truly defined diversity in music. She’s sung, arranged, and contracted for icons like Queen Latifah, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey. Her vocal arrangements have been featured in iconic moments like the 2016 Rose Parade — a first-ever closing act!

She’s written songs with legends like Johnny Mandel and Dave Grusin, co-writing the unforgettable Baretta’s Theme ("Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow"). Her compositions have been recorded by the biggest names in music: Diane Schuur, Shirley Horn, Roberta Flack, and many more.

But that’s not all! 🎤 She’s sung in King Kong, War of the Worlds, Matrix Reloaded, and Sister Act, and has worked with the likes of Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, and Paul McCartney. 🌟

As a producer, she co-produced Diane Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra, which hit #1 on the Billboard jazz charts for 37 weeks and won two Grammys! She’s even coached Lily Tomlin on scatting and conducted behind Bette Midler for For the Boys.

Morgan’s legacy is one of collaboration, empowerment, and a deep love for music. From the stage to the studio, she’s shaping the world of music in ways that inspire generations. 💫🎶

02/01/2025

🎶 Meet David Caffey! 🎶
David Caffey is an internationally renowned composer, arranger, conductor, and educator with over 40 years of experience shaping the world of jazz. His work has been performed on stages across 20+ countries, from the US to Japan to South Africa, and his compositions are featured in albums by top jazz ensembles worldwide. 🌍🎷
A passionate advocate for jazz education, Caffey served as President of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) and has been a key figure in the Jazz Education Network (JEN). He's also one of our own; a Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was Director of the School of Music for 8 years.
With a career spanning multiple continents and institutions, Caffey’s impact on the world of jazz continues to resonate with students, educators, and musicians alike. 🎼✨

01/25/2025

This week's Composer Spotlight honors Gilbert Edward Cray Jr., a man whose life was a testament to dedication, passion, and service. Born March 29, 1941, in Erie, PA, Gil was not only a loving father, grandfather, and brother, but also a musical legend who touched the lives of many through his extraordinary talent.

Gil served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years, and it was during this time that he became a proud member of the USAF’s prestigious Airmen of Note, where he performed for presidents, world leaders, and audiences across the globe. As a jazz pianist, his talent shone brightly on stage and in the arrangements he created, which are still cherished by jazz bands today.

Gil’s musical legacy lives on through his family, his students, and his timeless contributions to the world of jazz. He worked with some of the greatest names in music, including Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, and Dianne Schuur, leaving behind charts that are studied and performed to this day.

Beyond his music, Gil’s heart for others led him to work as a home healthcare aide and teach piano in his later years. His warmth, humility, and deep love for both music and family will never be forgotten.

01/15/2025

🎶 Meet Cathy Jensen-Hole: An accomplished performer, composer, educator, and clinician with a rich international background in vocal jazz! 🎤

Cathy has been a dynamic force in the world of jazz education, having served as the Director of Vocal Jazz at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and taught at Central Washington University-Ellensburg and the University of Texas - Denton.

Her musical journey has taken her around the globe, from performing in Australia, Great Britain, Indonesia, and the U.S., to being featured in radio ads, including the iconic Australian Coca-Cola campaign! 🌍✨

Cathy has also been a sought-after clinician and adjudicator at conferences and festivals, including directing the Jazz Honor Choir at the 2001 MENC Northwest Division Conference and the Upper New York State All District Jazz Choir in 2003.

We’re proud to celebrate Cathy’s dedication to the world of jazz and education—an inspiring artist making an impact wherever she goes! 🌟

12/22/2024

UNC Jazz Press composer, Adam Bartczak, presents his group in a performance of holiday music at the Mercury Cafe in Denver this Monday, December 23. It will be a fantastic concert!

https://www.mercurycafe.com/event/adam-bartczak-republic/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHVNMhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHchTaFvrDCGhj4fuo9P4OHO6mVBgRkAefFKSRygpqu21deCavj2yZmoW0Q_aem_cSCzmQIaej6MBsYodRvvtw

Advance: $20 Ticket + $3 Service Fee – Day Of Show: $25 Ticket + $3 Service Fee

Address

501 20th Street, Campus Box 28
Greeley, CO
80639

Telephone

(970) 351-2577

Website

http://www.uncjazzpress.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UNC Jazz Press posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to UNC Jazz Press: