By
Graig Uhlin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Prof. Jim Taylor brings lofty ambitions, expertise to the new program
Jim Taylor and jazz music are undeniably suited for each other.
The new professor in the School of Music and Dance, charged with developing a new vocal jazz department, has an infectious enthusiasm and vigor that melds perfectly with the free spirit associated with jazz.
"I love it (jazz) - the freedom, the improvisation, the community," Taylor said. "It's our music, the only true American art form."
The vocal jazz department, though, is still in its infancy. The degree program is years away from Regent's approval, said Taylor, and the staff is minimal.
"It's one guy doing it right now," he said, referring to himself.
However, Taylor plans to add two more faculty members as well as several graduate teaching assistants as the department grows. Taylor hopes to keep the department capped at 30 strong majors, whom he hopes to draw over a three- to five-year period.
Taylor's most ambitious plans for the department concern strengthening of the vocal jazz performance groups.
Taylor plans to maintain four or more ensemble groups, including the 24-voice choir - known as the Choraliers - as well as create a small, "elite" group of six to eight singers that will perform a capella as well as with a trio - a group of musicians composed of piano, bass and drum players.
"It will be a hallmark group that will showcase what our professional students can do," he said. "I hope (UA President Likins) uses the group to show off the music program."
The group is to be modeled after Taylor's own performance group, Half Dozen of the Other. In addition to performances at benefactor concerts, high schools and retirement communities, the group will tour around the country competing professionally.
Taylor also intends to start a 100-voice ensemble, which Jeff Haskel, coordinator of instrumental jazz studies, said only one other university - the University of Iowa - in the country has.
Taylor has no reservations about his lofty ambitions, though.
"I want to rival what anyone else has done. I want it to happen, and I am determined to make it happen," he said.
Other members of the UA administration - past and present - are also backing Taylor in his plans for the new department.
"I know (Likins) supports this. We have a fan of (former UA President) Henry Koffler. Without (Robert Cutietta's, director of the School of Music and Dance) help, we wouldn't be here right now," Taylor said.
"We have a very fine vocal music program and a very fine jazz program. The combination is very appealing," said Koffler. "He's terrific. Even when he was a young student, he was very professional."
Taylor earned his Master's of Fine Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona in May 1999. He also holds a degree in music education from Western Oregon University.
Taylor's immediate challenge is simply recruiting students to the program - but he does not anticipate demand for the department to be a problem.
"I've got kids who are ready to commit now," he said. "There are hundreds of students on this campus who have sung vocal jazz before, in their high schools. I want them. I want to work with them."
"I hope to be turning them away," Taylor said, adding, "Is there a need for it? We need a creative outlet for people who's minds work that way, who need to improvise, who need something more dense than a pop harmony."
Haskel thinks Taylor himself will draw students to the new program.
"I remember the basketball program before (head coach) Lute (Olson) came in - and then he came, and all the recruiting fell into place. And that is what Jim will do," Haskel said.
Taylor is holding auditions for the ensemble choirs, open to all students, through Friday - which will be the beginning of building the program.
Taylor's colleagues have high expectations for the vocal jazz program and Taylor's abilities once the program is firmly established.
"In terms of vocal jazz, it would be in top 15, perhaps 10, perhaps even lower with the lack of those types of programs across the country," Haskel said. "We've watched him do it, and now that he is faculty, and not a student, the sky's the limit."
