The UCSB Jazz Ensemble has a need for YOUR financial help to make our artistic and education goals a reality. In past years, the ensemble has engaged in raising funds through performing at local venues or for local organizations. This year, we have lofty goals, and in order to meet those goals we invite you to be part of our community via your support. Visit this page for instructions in giving and see below for our different funding initiatives.
The LOREN TODER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This scholarship fund was established by Robin and Samantha Toder (mother and sister) in the early 2000's in the aftermath of bassist Loren Toder's tragic death by natural causes while a student at UCSB. Loren was a universally respected and extremely talented musician who was just beginning to realize his own talents and abilities as a bassist at the time of his passing, and this scholarship award was established to recognize current UCSB Jazz Ensemble students who embody the spirit of Loren's spirit, humanity, and musicianship.
The fund is currently an interest bearing account, but we need your help to increase the yearly output of this award and allow it to be continued in perpetuity. Recent additions to this fund were made after a fundraising event that featured Loren's childhood friend, Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghofer and the UCSB Jazz Ensemble, as well as other artists and friends.
Recent winners of the award include bassist Emily Conway (2022, pictured at left), drummer Will Tran (2023), and saxophonist Moremi Kaplan (2024).
VISITING MUSICIANS
Given that there is only one faculty member at UCSB with expertise in jazz performance instruction, it is vital to offer instrument-specific instruction as well as general improvisation and performance masterclasses to our deserving students at UCSB. To accomplish this, we strive to bring local Santa Barbara and Los Angeles-based musicians to campus who can offer their expertise and guidance.In the past we have been fortunate to have musicians come to campus to work with our students such as bassists Kenny Wild (pictured) and Tim Lefebvre, pianists Andy Langham and Rachel Eckroth, saxophonist Glenn Morrisette, ensemble coaches James Mooy (Santa Barbara City College) and Gary Pratt (CSU Northridge) and the Emmet Cohen Trio comprised of pianist Emmet Cohen, bassist Russell Hall, and drummer Kyle Poole.
This year, we aim to bring two musicians to campus per quarter, in pairs of rhythm section and melody instrument, in order to help bridge the gap in education at UCSB. Help us make this opportunity a reality!
GUEST ARTISTS
The UCSB Jazz Ensemble prides itself on bringing high quality internationally recognized artists to both teach and perform with our students. Past guests have included Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Rachel Eckroth (St. Vincent, Rufus Wainright), bassist Tim Lefebvre (Donny McCaslin, David Bowie, Tedeschi-Trucks Band), trombonist Ed Neumeister (Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), saxophonist Bob Sheppard (Steely Dan, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard), and others.
This year, we will be hosting saxophonist Derek Douget for a week of performances and instruction. Raised in Gonzales, Louisiana, Douget was adopted into a mixed race family. His Cajun father exposed him to all things Acadian from food to music. In a region known for mixing African, Latin, Native American, and European traditions and cultures, Douget celebrates his part in this great community of mixed cultures that has always been a hot bed for jazz musicians. A longtime member of Ellis Marsalis's New Orleans based quintet, Douget now leads his own quintet which annually visits Santa Barbara as quests of the Lobero Theater.
INSTRUMENT REPAIR AND MUSIC PURCHASE
The UCSB Jazz Ensemble needs your help in both repairing our aging instrument inventory as well as to buy new instruments and to purchase new music for our students to study and perform. Currently, our saxophones, a collection of vintage Mark VI and other modern professional level instruments, are in poor playing shape or unplayable condition. We also have a need to purchase new instruments in order to increase ability to offer jazz instruction to students who do not own their own instruments. While we have a good inventory of drums and amplifiers, we are always in need of funding for new heads, amplifier repair, and other incidental costs. We additionally maintain our own inventory of microphones and PA equipment for rehearsals and performances, and often need to upgrade or repair that gear, as well as purchase cables and other incidental items.
The UCSB Jazz Library is horribly out of date despite our efforts to modernize and diversify the library. We recently took possession of a music donation by Harry Smallenburg, a Los Angeles musician and composer/arranger (and UCSB alumni) who graciously gifted us nearly 1000 printed arrangements and numerous other digital arrangements. Given the abundance of new music written annually, as well as new composers and arrangers always becoming popular, we need your help to modernize our library and offer our students the best music possible!
