After Graduation

Graduates of the MSU Jazz Studies program have gone on to careers as recording artists and jazz musicians, performing with several well-known soloists and groups including Sean Kingston, Ne-Yo, and Carlos McKinney, as well as the Spinners, Count Basie Orchestra, Cyrus Chestnut Quintet, and Mulgrew Miller Trio. Recent graduates have received the following recognitions: DownBeat magazine’s outstanding college soloist award, 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 Detroit, Chicago, and New York City, as well as at off-Broadway venues and in Japan.