After Graduation

2015 Jazz Studies graduate Endea Owens with Wyton Marsalis.

Graduates of the MSU Jazz Studies program have gone on to notable careers as recording artists and jazz musicians, performing with several well-known soloists and groups including Michael Bublé, Jon Batiste, Sean Kingston, Ne-Yo, and Carlos McKinney, as well as the Spinners, Count Basie Orchestra, Cyrus Chestnut Quintet, and Mulgrew Miller Trio, to name a few.

Recent graduates have received a Juno award for Jazz Album of the Year – Solo, DownBeat magazine’s outstanding college soloist award, recognition by DownBeat as one of the top young jazz players, Elmhurst Jazz Festival’s outstanding musician award, and first prize in the Aspen Jazz Competition.

Graduates can be found working in education departments at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Several recent graduates are performing in jazz clubs in New York, Detroit, Chicago, Japan, and off-Broadway venues.

Jazz guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jocelyn Gould earned her master’s degree at MSU, studying with Randy Napoleon. She went on the win a Juno for Jazz Album of the Year – Solo and performs around the world.