Douglas Snapp

Education:

• D.A. in Trumpet Performance/Jazz Pedagogy from University of Northern Colorado
• M.M. in Jazz Studies/Trumpet from University of North Texas
• B.M. in Jazz Studies/Trumpet from University of North Texas
• B.M.E. (Bachelor of Music Education) from University of North Texas

Biography:
A native from Greenfield, Massachusetts, Dr. Douglas Snapp came to MSU with a broad background in performance, music education, and music technology. Snapp is the founder of JazzMN, a nonprofit arts organization in the Twin Cities, where he served as Artistic Director of the JazzMN Orchestra, the JazzMN concert series and educational outreach programs.  In 2008, he served on the founding steering committee of jazz artists, educators, and industry leaders that formed the international organization Jazz Education Network (JEN).

Throughout his career, Snapp has had the opportunity to share the stage with over 80 national jazz artists. He appears regularly throughout the Midwest as a guest artist/clinician, and has performed throughout the United States and in Europe. 

During his study at the University of North Texas, Snapp performed in the renowned UNT One o’ Clock Lab Band and North Texas Jazz Singers. While pursuing his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado, he was a member of ensembles to receive prestigious Downbeat Magazine Awards in the big band, combo, and vocal jazz categories, and was featured in Downbeat as an “Upcoming Artist.”

In the field of music technology, Dr. Snapp has presented at technology workshops and conferences throughout the country.  He served on the SmartMusic development team at Make Music, and co-created the Gustavus Adolphus College Music Technology Workshop.

Dr. Snapp currently serves as a Professor of Music where he directs jazz and contemporary instrumental & vocal ensembles, and teaches contemporary methods, music technology, and trumpet.

Performances:
Featured/Performed with the following internationally acclaimed guest artists.

• Composers:
  • Bill Holman
  • Bob Florence
  • Fred Sturm
  • Rob McConnell
  • Slide Hampton
  • Michael Philip Mossman
  • Gordon Goodwin
  • John Clayton
  • Maria Schneider
• Trumpet:
  • Wayne Bergeron
  • Randy Brecker
  • Terrence Blanchard
  • John Harner
  • Ryan Kisor
  • Michael Philip Mossman
  • Nicolas Payton
  • Arturo Sandoval
  • Carl Saunders
  • Bobby Shew
  • Terell Stafford
  • Byron Stripling
• Saxophone:
  • Pete Christlieb
  • Paquito D’Rivera
  • Denis DiBlasio
  • Bill Evans
  • Eric Marienthal
  • Bob Mintzer
  • James Moody
  • Tom Peterson
  • Bob Sheppard
  • Ernie Watts
  • Phil Woods
  • Chris Vadala
  • Miguel Zenon
• Clarinet:
  • Eddie Daniels
  • Buddy DeFranco
  • Ken Peplowski
• Trombone:
  • Wycliffe Gordon
  • Slide Hampton
  • Conrad Herwig
  • J.J. Johnson
  • Andy Martin
  • Bob McChesney
  • Rob McConnell
• Piano:
  • Dave Brubeck
  • Kenny Drew Jr.
  • Bob Florence
  • Gordon Goodwin
  • Jon Weber
• Organ:
  • Joey DeFrancesco
• Vocalists:
  • Carl Anderson
  • Ernestine Anderson
  • Kevin Mahogany
  • Stephanie Nakasian
  • New York Voices
  • Dianne Reeves
  • Marlena Shaw
  • Curtis Stigers
  • Tierney Sutton
  • Mary Ellen Tanner
• Guitar:
  • Mike Stern
• Bass:
  • John Clayton
• Drums:
  • Louis Bellson
  • Peter Erskine
  • John von Ohlen
  • Mel Lewis
  • Dave Weckl

Recordings:

• Commission Project, JazzMN Orchestra, Jazz Big Band CD
• A Little Bit of Christmas, Chris Rupp, A Cappella CD
• Enriching Life with Jazz, JazzMN Orchestra, Jazz Big Band CD
• SnappDragon, DSMusic, Jazz Combo CD
• JazzMN Big Band, Artegra, Jazz Big Band CD
• New York Nights, Asch/Spencer Records, Light Jazz CD
• The Singer and the Song, Jason Gay, Pop/Christian CD
• ALIVE XII - I See Voices, United Jazz Artists, Jazz Ensemble CD
• HOT X - Wildlife, United Jazz Artists, Vocal Jazz CD
• ALIVE XI - Body & Soul, United Jazz Artists, Jazz Ensemble CD
• HOT 1990, United Jazz Artists, Vocal Jazz CD
• ALIVE X - Off the Cuff, United Jazz Artists, Jazz Ensemble CD
• HOT VIII, Eaglear Records, Vocal Jazz CD
• NTSU Jazz Singers, MARK Records, Vocal Jazz Album

Guest Artist/conductor/Clinician/adjudicator:
Served as a Guest Artist, Conductor, Clinician, and Adjudicator at several jazz events throughout the Midwest.  Here is a select list of some highlights.

• Jazz Education Network National Conference, Reno NV - Clinician
• Minnesota All-State Jazz Ensemble Conductor
• Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis – Director: Viva City Jazz Ensemble
• Üpland International Jazz Camp--Clinician/Featured, Üpland, Sweden
• Roseville Winter Blast (MN) – Clinician and Featured Conductor/Performer
• McNally Smith College President’s Inauguration – Director, Featured Ensemble
• Alan Page Foundation (MN) – Featured Conductor/Performer
• Jazz Festivals:
  • Iowa Jazz Championships
  • Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Jazz Festival (Omaha, NE)
  • Eau Claire (WI) Jazz Festival
  • Winona State University (MN) Honors Jazz Festival
  • University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Jazz Festival
  • University of Northern Iowa Jazz Festival
  • Hot Summer Jazz Festival, Minneapolis, MN
  • UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival (CO)
  • University of Minnesota Jazz Festival
  • University of South Dakota Jazz Festival
  • University of Minnesota, Duluth Jazz Festival
  • Lamberton (MN) Jazz Festival
  • District Conference Jazz Festivals (throughout region)
  • Garden City Jazz Festival (KS)
  • Boise State University Jazz Festival (ID)
  • Extravaganza, Fort Worth, TX

Presenter (select list):

• Resources in Jazz Education, Minnesota Music Educators Conference, Minneapolis, MN
• Resources in Jazz Education, Minnesota Band Directors Association Symposium, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
• Teaching Improvisation Through the Development of a Jazz Vocabulary, Minnesota Music Educators Conference, Minneapolis, MN
• Intro to Music Techology, Minnesota Music Educators Conference
• SmartMusic Studio, International Trumpet Guild Conference, Evansville, IN
• Arts Management, University of Minnesota Music Symposium, Minneapolis, MN
• SmartMusic Studio, National Association of Music Merchandisers (Summer NAMM), Memphis, TN
• Effective Use of Technology Teaching Jazz Improvisation, International Association of Jazz Educators Conference, New York, NY
• Band-in-a-Box  & Interactive Multimedia, International Association of Jazz Educators Conference, Miami, FL