Laura Caviani, Director of the Jazz Program and Senior Lecturer in Jazz Piano
The Carleton Jazz Ensemble
The Carleton Jazz Ensemble (MUSE 190), is a select large ensemble that performs a wide variety of jazz styles, ranging from classic big band to Latin infused repertoire, to modern arrangements of contemporary pop tunes. The Carleton Jazz Ensemble’s focus is on improvisation and the fusion between jazz, rock, funk, and Latin influences, and it often features guest artists, including Carleton’s jazz faculty. An audition is required, and members are expected to commit to the entire academic year (with exceptions offered for varsity sports, off-campus program, and unique academic circumstances). Applied lessons are also strongly encouraged. The Carleton Jazz Ensemble rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM.
Each term, new works are created depending on the interests of the members of the group. In addition, each concert features repertoire ranging from historically significant classics to music hot of the press. Small combos comprised of Jazz Ensemble members complement each performance.
Carleton Jazz Lab Band
The Carleton Jazz Lab Band (MUSE 196) is offered during Fall Term and provides students an opportunity to improve their performance skills in jazz styles. This ensemble serves as a stepping-stone towards the Jazz Ensemble or a Jazz Chamber Group, and it predominantly focuses on developing the foundational skills of sightreading and improvising. Interested students should reach out to Laura Caviani. The Carleton Jazz Lab Band rehearses Tuesdays 3:10 – 4:55 PM.
Interested Students
Students interested in participating in one of the Jazz Ensembles (as well as prospective students) may contact Laura Caviani for more information regarding the jazz program.
Jazz Ensemble Auditions occur during New Student Week for first year students. Prior to auditioning, new students should fill out Carleton’s Music Interest Form to establish communication regarding all musical interests. More information can be found on the Jazz Ensemble Audition Information page.
Recent Highlights
Students in both Carleton’s Jazz Area and Theatre Department collaborated during spring term of 2025 in their performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Andrew Carlson, Associate Professor of Theater and Dance, which featured new music by Laura Caviani. In the Spring of 2026 Carleton’s Jazz Ensemble co-hosted a spring swing dance in downtown Northfield with Northfield High School’s Jazz Ensemble.
Director of the Jazz Program
Laura Caviani is a dedicated and veteran jazz pianist, recording artist, composer, and educator in diverse musical settings, including guest artist residencies and performances in Japan, Argentina and Scotland. She has seven critically acclaimed recordings to her credit as a leader, and many more as a collaborative pianist, composer, and arranger. Recent recording projects by the Laura Caviani Trio include: Mysterious Thelonious and Confluence, both of which feature Chris Bates on bass and Dave Schmalenberger, Senior Lecturer in Percussion, on drums. She has set poetry to music, including the works of Edna St. Vincent Millay for Prudence Johnson, William Shakespeare for The Great River Chorale, and Rumi for Vocal Essence. During a residency at the Millay Colony for the Arts in New York, she composed music to the words of activists Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Paul Wellstone and others for the Carleton College Choir. More recently, Carleton’s Theatre Department commissioned Ms. Caviani to compose new music for their production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which featured students from both the Music and the Theatre Departments. Please visit Laura’s website for more information.
Ensemble FAQs
Course Number MUSE 190, Carleton Jazz Ensemble
Rehearsals: Monday & Wednesday 6:30-8:00 PM
Course Number MUSE 196, Carleton Jazz Lab Band
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 3:10-4:55 PM Fall Term ONLY
Audition Information Page