about

Underground Jazz is the only vocal jazz and acapella group at the University of Puget Sound. Sponsored by the Associated Student Body, the group is comprised of students with a wide variety of academic majors and musical backgrounds who come together in a common goal - to make outstanding music. Due to overwhelming talent and auditioning members, the ensemble is divided into two seperate groups for the first time ever: UJ Acapella and UJ Rhythm. As the names suggest, one group uses instruments to compliment the voices, while the other performs vocally only. We have performed a wide variety of jazz tunes, including "My Funny Valentine," "Acapella in Acapulco," and "Fool on the Hill." We also have worked on a growing number of pop songs, including "Rosanna" (Toto), "What a Girl Wants" (Christina Aguilera), and "Peg" (Steely Dan).

Underground Jazz enjoys bi-annual concerts for the campus community. We also have opened for a music groups like Grammy Award-winning Gospel Hummingbirds and the vocal acapella group M-Pact. We also perform on occasion for university organizations.

Underground Jazz has traditionally held a membership of approximately fourteen for each group, consisting of four sopranos, four altos, three tenors, and three basses with alternating vocal precussion. Membership changes each semester as veterans study abroad or graduate, and as new members are recruited during our annual audition process. Underground Jazz recruits the university's best talent. Auditionees are expected to have a keen musical ear, and are rated on their ability to sight-read, improvise, recall music, exhibit diverse musical ability, and blend.