Local

UCO Jazz Lab

By Adam Knapp, About.com Guide

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100 E. 5th
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 359-7989

In Short:

Located in Edmond and built in 2001, the UCO Jazz Lab is home to the University of Central Oklahoma's Jazz Studies Division, but it also becomes a New Orleans-style music venue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when you can catch jazz, blues, soul and folk music. It has quickly become one of the metro's top venues for live music.

Concerts feature student performances as well as professional musicians from around the state and country, everything from "jazz heavyweights to artful rock projects." Recent performers include Wynton Marsalis, Boz Scaggs, Maynard Ferguson, Leon Russell, George Winston and many more. In addition, the lab has a recording studio utilized for educational purposes and professional audio/video production, mastering and duplication.

Location:

The UCO Jazz Lab is not located on the university campus but rather on the corner of 5th and Littler, just south of Edmond Road.

Get a detailed map of Edmond with driving directions from Oklahoma City.

Tickets:

Many of the concerts at the UCO Jazz Lab have tickets starting at just $7, while the marquee concerts cost significantly more. Tickets can be purchased by calling (405) 359-7989 x 1. Note that the number will only be directly answered after 6 p.m. on evenings with shows. At other times, simply leave your contact information on the voice mail.

Workshops:

The UCO Jazz Lab offers workshops for Modern Recording Technology in the lab studio. Participants are allowed to learn the concepts involved in audio recording and participate in the roles of engineer, producer and musician. For more information, call (405) 359-7989, x278.

In addition, 2011 brings a series of annual Summer Jazz Performance Workshops. Housing and meal plans are available for out of town students.

2011 UCO Jazz Lab Concerts:

Unless otherwise noted, all UCO Jazz Lab performances start at 8:00 PM, with a second set at 9:30. Doors open 1 hour prior to showtime, and you can get food and beverages provided by the next-door Hideaway Pizza. For a full slate of upcoming performances, including special concerts, see the UCO Jazz Lab online schedule.