Dr. John Davis, Director

Jazz Studies Program
University of Colorado at Boulder

John Davis, Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor, is an active clinician, performer and guest conductor throughout the United States and Canada. He joined the University of Colorado faculty in 1999, where he has taught courses in jazz history, jazz administration and pedagogy, big band, combo, vocal jazz, and jazz techniques. The program has been awarded 13 Down Beat magazine Student Music Awards during the past five years. CU Jazz Studies was recognized by the university chancellor as one of the University's “core programs of excellence.” Under Davis’ direction, Jazz Ensemble I performed at the 2004 International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) conference in New York City and was recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding big bands by Down Beat Magazine in 2003 and 2005.  The band released a 2003 CD, “CU ‘Round Midnight,” which features the music and artistry of Jim McNeely, and a 2005 release "CU Over the Rainbow." Prior to his appointment at CU, he served as Assistant Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was also coordinator for the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival.

For the past 15 years, he has served on the summer faculty of the Birch Creek Music Academy   in Door County, Wisconsin, where he teaches trumpet, combo, performance seminars, and plays lead trumpet with the nationally reknown Academy Faculty Big Band.  John was the Mountain Region Coordinator for the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) from 2005-2007, and was Director of CU's Mile High Jazz Camp for 5 years. He has served as President of the Colorado Unit of (IAJE) and was coordinator for the Colorado All State Jazz Bands from 2001-2003. Professor Davis holds a BA in Music Education and Performance from Metropolitan State College, a MA in Trumpet Performance from the University of Denver, and a Doctor of Arts degree in Trumpet Performance and Pedagogy with a secondary emphasis in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.

In demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, John has recently presented at the College of Music SUNY-Fredonia (2002), University of Kansas (2002, 2004, 2005), University of Toronto (2001), the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) Conferences in Long Beach, CA (2002) and New Orleans, LA (2000), and the Colorado Music Educators Conference in Colorado Springs, CO (2001, 2005). Dr. Davis has served as guest conductor for honor and all-state vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles in Wyoming, Colorado, Toronto,  Indiana, and Oklahoma. Recent festival appearances and adjudications include the Rocky Mountain Music Festival in Alberta, Canada, the Optimists Music Festival in Regina, Saskatchewan, the University of Kansas Jazz Festival, the University of Mary Jazz Festival, the Northwest Jazz Festival, the Skyline Jazz Festival in Colorado, and many others. He was awarded a Big 12 Faculty Fellowship, which resulted in a two-week residency at the University of Kansas during March of 2004. In October of 2003 he served as trumpet faculty for the SAYOWE project in Thailand, performing with the faculty brass quintet and conducting master classes. ARTICLE