DENTON (UNT), Texas – The One O'Clock Lab Band, UNT's premier jazz ensemble, will see a familiar face in the director spot starting this summer. Alumnus Alan Baylock, leader of the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra and chief arranger for the Airmen of Note military jazz ensemble, has been named the new director for the One O'Clock.
"The College of Music and the Jazz Studies Division at UNT have such rich history," said Baylock. "I'm honored to join the college as director of the One O'Clock Lab Band. I'm not alone in thinking it's the best collegiate jazz ensemble in the world. To be a part of this program is a real thrill."
Baylock received his master's in jazz studies at UNT in 1995 and is very familiar with the jazz program. As a student Baylock was involved in the lab bands, jazz combos, the UNT Jazz Singers and the UNT Gamelan orchestra, which performs traditional Indonesian music. After graduation, he kept in touch with professors and students in the Jazz Studies Division, and the One O'Clock performed and recorded some of Baylock's compositions.
In 2001, he formed the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra. The band released their first CD in 2003 and their most recent one just six months ago. He has also worked with the Airmen of Note, an elite Air Force jazz ensemble that includes six UNT alumni in its ranks. Baylock's music has been performed and recorded by jazz greats, including Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Kurt Elling and more. He has also arranged music for Wynonna, Al Jarreau, Spyro Gyra and others.
"Alan's connection to UNT made him a strong candidate to direct the One O'Clock, and his experience as an internationally renowned composer and bandleader gives our students the chance to work with someone who can show them how to achieve success," said John Murphy, chair of the Jazz Studies Division.
Baylock hopes to put the One O'Clock in the spotlight by concentrating on international touring and continuing to record a CD every year. He also hopes to highlight more pieces by student composers and expand the band's social media presence.
"It's important to be consistently out there so that people can hear your music, so that you're recognized and talked about," said Baylock. "The appealing thing about this job is that there is already tremendous forward momentum with this group. The students and the faculty here are so positive and of such high caliber. I want to be a part of that and keep it moving forward."
About the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band
The six-time Grammy-nominated UNT One O'Clock Lab Band – the foremost ensemble of UNT's Jazz Studies program in the College of Music – has performed and toured throughout the world, including Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand and The Netherlands. UNT offered the nation's first bachelor's degree program in jazz studies in the 1946-47 academic year, and the university's jazz studies program is consistently rated among the nation's best.
About the UNT College of Music
The UNT College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the country. More than 1,600 music students attend UNT each year, participating in more than 50 widely varied ensembles and pursuing specialized studies in performance, composition, music education or music scholarship. UNT faculty members and students have made appearances on the world's finest stages and have produced numerous recordings, many receiving Grammy awards and nominations. Distinguished UNT alumni can be found around the globe, in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities and schools.