Category Archives: Jazz Studies

album cover

Wil Swindler’s Elevenet releases new album, Space Bugs

Music instructor Wil Swindler recently released a new album titled “Space Bugs.” The album by Wil Swindler’s Elevenet received a four-star review in Downbeat Magazine in February. Downbeat is a popular magazine, but given jazz’s origins, it is considered one of the premier publications on the art form. “Any review in the magazine has a […]


Wil Swindler's Elevenet

Jazz professor Wil Swindler featured at Jazz Education Network Conference

The head of CSU Jazz Studies, Wil Swindler, and his band, The Elevenet were featured performers at the 2023 Jazz Education Network Conference. The fourteenth annual conference was held on Jan. 4-7 in Orlando, Florida. According to the organization’s website, the conference offers a variety of events, including sessions and clinics to fit every attendee’s […]


Peter Sopmmer playing saxophone

Saxophone Professor Peter Sommer is making music!

CSU Music Professor, Peter Sommer, has had a prolific season of music-making. Here are recent activities by the head of CSU’s Woodwind Area: Soulful Songs and Spirits, original music and arrangements for jazz sextet was released in June by the Peter Sommer Septet. According to the KUVO Jazz calendar, the release was inspired by his […]


Terell Stafford promotional photo

CSU Jazz Ensembles Collaborate with Guest Artist Terell Stafford, Trumpet

By Emily Kaiser, SMTD Publicity Intern Dr. Peter Sommer, and the Colorado State University Jazz Ensembles I and II are gearing up for an exciting experience to collaborate with guest artist, Terell Stafford, the renowned trumpet player from the East Coast region. The student ensemble members will have the opportunity to learn from the artist, […]



Colorado State University Center for the Arts Exterior

May 2016 Faculty Notes

Colorado State University retirees, as well as employees achieving a decade of service or more were honored at the annual Celebrate! CSU Milestones event on April 28, in the Lory Student Center Ballroom. Six School of Music, Theatre and Dance faculty and staff were honored for their years of service to CSU including Double Bass Professor […]


Rebecca Phillips pictured conducting

April 2016 Faculty Notes

Last fall, Assistant Professor of Music History K. Dawn Grapes had her annotated bibliography/research guide to “John Dowland” recently published online by Oxford University Press in Oxford Bibliographies. In her introduction, Dr. Grapes describes Dowland (b. 1563–d. 1623) as an internationally known English musician of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. As the most […]


Narrando Historia promotional screen

Peter Sommer and Quartet present Nuevo Historias

The Virtuoso Series at Colorado State University continues with a dynamic concert by faculty Peter Sommer and his quartet featuring Eric Gunnison, piano; Kent McLagan, bass; and Marc Dalio, drums. The concert will feature music from Sommer’s most recent release on Dazzle Recordings, Narrando Historias, as well as new compositions and improvisations with elements of […]