Bachelor of Music - Jazz Studies in Chicago United States | Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University offers an extensive Jazz Studies program at both undergraduate and minor levels, with graduate opportunities in performance and composition. Graduates from our program have gained admission to prestigious jazz doctoral programs after completing their Master's in Jazz, while others have gone on to teach at universities. Our program maintains a strong presence, with students delivering around 50 performances each semester. The jazz department organizes and contributes to three annual festivals and hosts numerous world-class guest artists to collaborate with our skilled students. Recent visiting artists have featured Jim McNeely, Duffy Jackson, Rob Parton, Jon Faddis, Bobby Shew, Roger Ingram, Chris Vadala, Rick Simerly, Gunnar Mossblad, Chris Collins, Bob Mintzer, John Clayton, Jeff Halsey, The Eddie Gomez Trio, The Jeff Hamilton Trio, The Harold Danko Trio, John Fedchock, Matt Wilson, Tom Garling, Johnny Trudell, Jack Grassel, Jill Jensen, Leroy Jones, Ashlin Parker, Andy Martin, Mike Vax, and Brian Coyle.