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Steve Owen
(541) 346-2137
sowen@uoregon.edu

Steve Owen is professor of music and director of jazz studies at the University of Oregon. A nationally known composer, arranger, soloist, clinician, and educator, Owen received his B.Mus. from North Texas State University and a M.Mus. degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to joining the UO faculty in 1988 he was assistant director of jazz studies at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Owen is a respected educator with an abundance of enthusiasm for music and teaching. In 1991 he was one of two winners of the coveted Ersted Award, the University of Oregon's top faculty award for distinguished teaching. He has presented clinics at numerous Northwest area MENC conventions, and has directed all-state jazz ensembles in Texas, California, and Minnesota, as well as Oregon. Owen is also the founder and director of the Oregon Jazz Celebration, an annual workshop for college, junior high, and senior high school jazz ensembles. He also heads the UO Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp, and was recently appointed music director of the Peter Britt Festival Jazz Camp. In addition, Owen appears at high school and college jazz festivals throughout the country.

As director of jazz studies, Owen teaches courses in jazz theory, arranging, improvisation, repertoire study, and pedagogy. He directs the Oregon Jazz Ensemble (the first of three large jazz ensembles at Oregon) and two of the ten jazz combos. Recognized for their excellence in interpretation and performance of the many styles associated with jazz, UO ensembles have performed at every major jazz festival and educational convention in the Pacific Northwest.

A composer and arranger of national prominence, Owen's works have been performed by Bobby McFerrin, Dave Weckl, Anne Marie Moss, as well as the nation's finest college and professional jazz ensembles. Owen's compositions have received performances at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference each year since 1986. Owen's music is published by UNC Jazz Press and Matrix Music.