U of A and NWA Jazz Society Launch New Artist-in-Residence Program

Courtesy of University of Arkansas

A close-up of a U of A musician playing jazz guitar.

The U of A Department of Music is excited to announce that its Jazz Studies Program is launching a one-of-a-kind new artist-in-residency program in partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society. 

The program is made possible by the establishment of the Moye Family Jazz Residency gift from Jerry and Cherie Moye.

“This special program will allow us to bring world-class jazz musicians to campus to share their talent, not only with our students but with the entire Northwest Arkansas community,” said Jake Hertzog, coordinator of the Jazz Studies Program. 

“Partnering with the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society on this project is an incredible opportunity to collaborate on building the jazz scene in the regional music ecosystem,” he added.

Alan Gosman, chair of the Department of Music, also expressed his excitement about how establishing the new jazz artist-in-residency program will further energize the department’s jazz studies.

“One of the special aspects of the gift and the residency it established is how multidimensional its impact will be. It also supports our core missions of pedagogy, artistic achievement and community engagement,” Gosman said.

The program marks a unique “on and off campus” approach, Gosman said, wherein through the course of the residency, artists-in-residence will collaborate and perform with U of A students and faculty, perform with community jazz ensembles, teach public jazz masterclasses, visit university music courses and present biographical interviews on their jazz careers.

Robert Ginsburg, founder and artistic director of the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society, said the group is looking forward to partnering with the U of A and its Department of Music on this project.

“Once again we will unite to enhance the jazz educational programs as well as provide world-class concert offerings to our community,” Ginsburg said. “The combination of formal jazz studies with seasoned jazz artists is the best way to ensure the future of the music. A healthy dose of community outreach to include the jazz-loving audience is the finishing touch to this program that brings another level of purpose.”

Artists in residence will be selected by a committee composed of U of A faculty, students and representatives from the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society. Residencies will occur during the next two academic years.

Jerry Moye said this is something he and his wife, Cherie, are greatly anticipating.

“Cherie and I have really enjoyed watching the Northwest Arkansas music scene grow since we moved here in ’93,” Moye said. “We feel very fortunate to be able to help jazz keep — and hopefully grow — its footprint through this gift. We wish the university jazz staff the best and hope that the community at large enjoys the entertainment that they will provide.”

More details of the program will be announced later in the year. Visit the U of A Department of Music online to learn more soon.

About the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with three schools, 16 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the majority of the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.