The Jazz Professors
Professors who also play professionally throughout the year, the group has made several changes over the years since 2009, but currently the roster includes: Director of Jazz Studies, saxophonist Jeff Rupert, legendary drummer Marty Morell, best known for his work with the Bill Evans trio, bassist Richard Drexler of the Jeff Berlin Trio, pianist Per Danielsson, guitarist Bobby Koelble, and the more recent addition of trombonist Michael Wilkinson bring wide ranging experience from many wellsprings of the music together into an impressive whole.
The group performs with guest artists and orchestras, most notably Kenny Drew Jr. and Michael Philip Mossman
The combo has released two albums on the University's new label, Flying Horse Records. Their first "Live from the UCF Orlando Jazz Festival" charted into the top 20 (Jazzweek). Their most recent offering, "Do That Again" soared to No. 6 on the JazzWeek charts in the spring of 2013.
One of the things that makes the UCF Jazz program one of the fastest-rising in jazz music education is that these musicians both teach and play so well together.
"I think, if you're going to teach them how to play well in a combo, you have to walk the walk," says Jeff Rupert, who is the Director of Jazz Studies at UCF.
The group benefits from having talented composers and arrangers in saxophonist, composer and arranger Jeff Rupert, multi- instrumentalist, composer and arranger Richard Drexler, and pianist, composer and arranger Per Danielsson.
Awards
Top 10 album - Jazz Week - April 2013
Tags
Primary Instrument
Various
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
All of the Jazz Professors teach at the University of Central Florida. Jeff Rupert is the Director of Jazz Studies, teaches saxophone for a small number of private students from the program, directs the Flying Horse Big Band and teaches other courses at UCF. Richard Drexler teaches Jazz bass and works with the student combos, and teaches other courses.; Per Danielsson teaches Jazz piano, works with student combos, and teaches other courses; Marty Morell teaches Jazz and concert percussion; Bobby Koelble teaches Jazz guitar; Michael Wilkinson teaches trombone for Jazz and concert.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Albums
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson