Making music across continents

A collaboration borne from necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a second such collaboration, giving UofL students a unique musical and technical experience.

While COVID-19 shut down travel in 2020-21, it could not keep the University of Louisville Jazz Studies Program from working with their overseas counterparts.

Under the direction of UofL Associate Professor of Music Chris Fitzgerald, in 2021, the jazz program collaborated remotely with the Universidad El Bosque of Colombia to produce jazz performances.

The success of that effort led to a similar collaboration this year between UofL and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, one of the 10 largest public universities in Brazil.

Known as the G2 Summit, the students’ performances on YouTube illustrate both their musical and technical expertise:

• “Aos Bambas do Catita” by UofL School of Music alumnus Anderson Pessoa, now with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
• “Fifth Business” by UofL’s Fitzgerald

“It’s been great to continue putting together separate remote performances into one cohesive presentation,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s exciting to impart this skill to our students going forward to further their education.

“The technology used to collaborate remotely is something music students need to be familiar with as they pursue their careers as both performers and teachers of music after graduation.”

Established in 1985, the UofL Jazz Studies Program is recognized throughout the world for its commitment to quality and innovative programs. The program offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in several tracks for students wanting to emphasize jazz performance or teaching. Its faculty are recognized throughout the nation as leading performers and educators, and the program continues to perform in venues throughout the world.