01/05/2023
Hugh Ragin, the subject of this article, is one of Colorado Jazz Workshop's talented instructors. (CJW is mentioned in the article.)
>>The love of teaching and education was never far from Ragin’s plans, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Colorado (UC), Boulder, with teaching stints at Oberlin, the Colorado Jazz Workshop, and in the Denver Public School System, as three examples. Currently teaching Jazz Studies at UC Boulder, he is a member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Ragin is a prolific composer, whose pieces have been performed by many including David Sanford who used Ragin’s A Prayer for Lester Bowie as the central compositional piece in his own big band recording of the same name.
To say high critical acclaim is universal and noteworthy is an understatement. Jazz historian Francis Davis describes Ragin as, “a trumpeter with very few peers in terms of imagination or technical command.” Scott Yanow wrote, “virtually every Hugh Ragin recording is well-worth exploring,” and critic Chris Kelsey stated, “(Ragin has a) well-rounded technique and abundant imagination.” Going on Kelsey declares Ragin, “a harmonically daring player, (combining) the clear, ringing tone of a classical trumpeter with the chops and rhythmic ingenuity of a top-notch bebopper.” A true jazz master, Ragin himself strives, “(to) be part of a continuum of growth in music education and music performance.”
Erdmann, professor of music, had an article published in the professional trumpet journal.
