CCPA Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies
Program Faculty
- Neal Alger, Jazz Guitar, Fusion Combo
- Jackie Allen, Jazz Voice
- Ruben Alvarez, Latin Percussion, Latin Jazz Ensemble
- Robert Amster, Jazz Upright Bass
- Steve Berry, Jazz Trombone, Bebop Combo
- John Blane, Jazz Trombone
- Linda Clifford, Jazz Voice
- Jo Ann Daugherty, Jazz Piano
- Jerry DiMuzio, Jazz Saxophone
- Jim Gailoreto, Jazz Saxophone, Avant-Garde Combo
- Paulinho Garcia, Brazilian Combo, Jazz Guitar
- Tom Garling, Jazz Trombone
- Phil Gratteau, Jazz Drums
- Roger Harris, Bebop Combo, Jazz Piano
- Roger Ingram, Jazz Trumpet
- Henry Johnson, Hard Bop Combo, Jazz Guitar
- Scott Mason, Jazz Upright Bass, Swing Combo
- John McLean, Electric Guitar
- Paul Mertens, Fusion Combo, Jazz Saxophone
- Jeff Morrow, Jazz Voice, Vocal Jazz Ensemble
- John Moulder, Jazz Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Guitar, Contemporary Combo
- Dave Onderdonk, Jazz Guitar
- Rob Parton, Jazz Trumpet, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Lab Bands
- Ron Ruvio, Jazz Trumpet
- Fred Simon, Jazz Piano, ECM Combo
- Mike Smith, Jazz Saxophone
- Colleen Timler, Jazz Voice
- Jim Trompeter, Jazz Piano
- Paul Wertico, Head of Jazz Studies, Avant-Garde Combo, Drum Set
- Brad Wheeler, Jazz Saxophone
- Cheryl Wilson, Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Our Degree Programs
If you want to study jazz or contemporary music , you'll thrive in Chicago, where a flourishing community of jazz clubs—many within walking distance—feature some of the best talent in the world. From the early jazz and blues recordings of the '20s to the internationally known Chicago Jazz Festival today, this city is alive with the sounds of jazz. The Jazz Studies program prepares students for professional careers in jazz and its related idioms. Success requires technical mastery, stylistic knowledge, and versatility; all of which are instilled and honed here at CCPA.
The Music Conservatory offers degrees in both instrumental and vocal jazz. Our talented faculty includes active jazz professionals, such as Grammy winner (and Department Chair) Paul Wertico of the Pat Metheny Group. Trumpeter Rob Parton is well known for his JAZZTECH Big Band recordings, and his lead-trumpet skills are regularly in demand in the city. Other faculty members include innovative guitarist John McLean, longtime lead-alto of Frank Sinatra's band Mike Smith, and Latin artist Ruben Alvarez.