SXU’s Shawn Salmon was quoted in NPR showcasing his love of jazz

Saint Xavier University’s (SXU) Director of Jazz Studies Shawn Salmon, Ph.D., was recently quoted in the April 16 issue of National Public Radio (NPR), where he reflected on his love of jazz music and his remembrance of Chicago’s Jazz Record Mart. The article discussed the closing of a Chicago icon in the music industry, Jazz Record Mart. Prof. Salmon was in the store on its final day and reminisced with other jazz enthusiasts on the end of an era, purchasing music from a brick-and-mortar store.

Prof. Salmon has always had a passion for jazz, which has helped transform his career as an instructor at SXU. Last summer, he helped to coordinate the start of a new Jazz Emphasis option to Bachelor of Music Instrumental and Vocal Performance degree.

The new emphasis was accredited by the National Association of School of Music (NASM). It is an addition to the already existing Instrumental Emphasis and will require students to take 44 credits of music courses, including three new jazz courses as well as perform in the SXU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo.

Interested students can enroll in Jazz Theory and Arranging, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz History. This emphasis is open to all music majors and minors and is aimed at helping the musician better understand the elements of jazz improvisation and composition by studying the unique harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic elements found in jazz. Students will also be composing and arranging works for both the Jazz Band and Jazz Combo.

In addition, Prof. Salmon has been instrumental in starting the Inaugural SXU-Southside Summer Jazz Camp, which will run this summer, July 19 through 22 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on SXU’s Chicago campus located at 3700 West 103rd Street.

To learn more about SXU’s Music Department programs and events, please visit the website.

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