The sounds created by the Native American flute capture and give voice to the beauty of nature. For over 4000 years, wind instruments have turned the breezes in a tree line, the canyon echoes, and the sounds of God's creatures, into songs of wonder and celebration. The flute is just a hollow stick. It awaits neither sheet music nor accompaniment. Your heart alone inspires its voice.
The mission of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is to inspire creativity and improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans through preservation, education and performance of jazz, our uniquely American art form.The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1988 with legislation authored by State Senators Maxine Horner and Penny Williams.
The Jazz Lab is home for the celebrated Jazz Studies Division of the University of Central Oklahoma School of Music. Students utilize the Jazz Lab on a daily basis. The School of Music currently offers an undergraduate Minor in Jazz Studies and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies with Majors either in Performance or Commercial Music Production. All students, both music majors and non-majors, are welcome to participate. The Jazz Lab is a world class entertainment venue featuring a relaxed atmosphere styled after jazz clubs in New Orleans! Each evening (usually Thur., Fri., Sat.) the Jazz Lab features live entertainment with food and beverages provided by Hideaway Pizza.
The Lab is also home to the Jazz Lab Recording Studio. This state of the art facility is being utilized for educational endeavors and professional audio/video production, mastering and duplication.
Brian Gorrell serves as Head of the Jazz Studies Division for the University of Central Oklahoma School of Music. Gorrell, a former pianist for the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, also manages operation of the Jazz Lab Recording Studio and teaches Applied Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Theory & Analysis, Music Technology, Jazz Improvisation, and Jazz Piano.
The Jazz Company was formed in 1995 when Brian moved back home to Oklahoma after performing with The Lawrence Welk Orchestra. The group performs a wide variety of styles including traditional & contemporary jazz, funk, & latin music. Their music focuses on original compositions by Brian & Shane and also material by diverse composers such as Billy Strayhorn, Michael Brecker, Victor Young, Marcus Miller, Pat Metheny, and many others.
The Oklahoma Blues Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, OK dedicated to the preservation and promotion of blues music.
KGOU Radio has long been devoted to the Blues and I tip a hat to those before me who kept this tradition alive. As it is, I've hosted the program for over a decade! My goal has been/is to play "the best in Blues . . . old and new." This (of course) includes a strong commitment to Oklahoma's fine musicians and the many independent and lesser-known artists struggling to be heard. In addition, I'll offer the occasional artist "from out of the Blue" who may not be formally associated with the music, but who in one way or another either borrows from or contributes to the expanding landscape of the Blues.
Tune in each Saturday and Sunday from 1-5pm (Beale Street Caravan included) for "The Weekend Blues."
Held in late June each year in Norman, Oklahoma. Originally a partnership between the Norman Arts Council and the Cimmaron Circuit Opera Company, Jazz in June, Inc. was formally created as a separate non-profit in 1990 with the Norman Arts Council, Cimmaron Circuit Opera Company and KGOU as partners with members at large. For the past few years, over 50,000 people have converged in Norman to enjoy Jazz in June.
