Under the directorship of saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, Jazz at Princeton University serves to promote this uniquely American music as a contemporary and relevant art form. The program hosts the Certificate in Jazz Studies, a number of performing jazz ensembles, and a celebrated roster of guest artists. Students involved in jazz performance have numerous opportunities to concertize, participate in master classes, study privately, and to pursue independent projects. They also have the opportunity to participate in academic courses from the music department curriculum that encourage the study of the historical, social, theoretical, stylistic, and creative issues that pertain to the jazz idiom.
The Anthony H. P. Lee '79 Director of Jazz at Princeton University, Mahanthappa is a saxophonist/composer who hybridizes progressive jazz and South Indian classical music.