Gene Aitken

Gene Aitken, Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, and UNC Jazz Press, the largest jazz publishing company in the world, is known for his tireless work with musical groups and his energetic lifestyle. Under his direction, the UNC Jazz Studies Program has received more Down Beat Magazine awards and more National Endowment for the Arts grants than any other institution of higher education in the U.S., plus a Grammy Nomination in the Vocal Jazz area. U.S. News and World Reports March 10, 1997, issue named UNC Jazz Studies one of the top five programs in the nation. Under his direction, the Jazz Studies Program has produced 24 record albums and compact discs and is currently under contract with LA-based United Jazz Artists Records. In January, 1995, Gene was the 32nd individual inducted into the International Assn. of Jazz Educators’ Hall of Fame along with Doc Severinson and Ella Fitzgerald, joining others such as Count Basie, Woody Herman, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and many others. Contact www.arts.unco.edu/UNCJazz/main.html for more information..
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