The Blair School of Music jazz program is enjoying a moment that is both a culmination and a launching point. With two new DownBeat Student Music Awards, the release of a new Blair Big Band EP, and a steadily growing national profile, the program under Director of Jazz Studies Ryan Middagh continues to redefine what an undergraduate jazz education can look like.
Photo: Harrison McClary/Vanderbilt University
This week, Blair added two more honors to its growing list of accolades, bringing its total number of DownBeat Student Music Awards to 16. The Blair Big Band earned recognition in the Undergraduate Large Jazz Ensemble category, while the Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Marc Widenofer, was awarded Outstanding Performance in the Undergraduate Latin Jazz Ensemble category, two of the most prestigious honors in jazz education.
“For context, we received our first DownBeat award in 2019,” Middagh said. “To reach 16 in such a short span is truly remarkable.”
That pace of recognition underscores the transformation of Blair’s jazz program over the past decade. When Middagh arrived in 2014, he helped shift the focus toward a more comprehensive curriculum to better support performance opportunities. While ensemble experience remains central, the addition of a stronger academic structure has enhanced both musicianship and career readiness.
Equally important has been the growth of the faculty. Middagh has helped build a roster of active, high-level performers across disciplines, creating an environment that draws students for both its training and its setting.
“It’s the combination of an undergraduate-only experience, Nashville’s vibrant music scene, and a world-class faculty,” he said.
That Nashville connection plays a crucial role in preparing students for professional careers. A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on real-world recording experiences, an approach showcased in the newly released Blair Big Band EP.
The EP includes three tracks — “Sunrise in the Spring,” “Stardust,” and “High Altotude” — and highlights both the ensemble’s versatility and its commitment to student-driven creativity. The title track, composed by graduating senior Ian Nussdorfer, reflects the program’s focus on developing student composers, while the recording features standout student soloists throughout.
Each year, Blair’s top jazz groups record in professional studios, generating material for awards and festivals while immersing students in the realities of the music industry.
“We aim to place the Big Band in a high-quality recording studio every year,” Middagh said. “By graduation, students have gained extensive experience in major professional studios, preparing them for the demands of session work.”
The latest EP carries added significance. It was recorded at producer Dan Rudin’s studio, one of Nashville’s most respected recording spaces, just before it closed, giving students a rare opportunity to work in a high-level commercial environment.
That exposure is central to Blair’s philosophy: preparing students not just to perform, but to succeed in professional settings where adaptability is essential. The emphasis on readiness is already paying off as Blair graduates are increasingly visible in Nashville’s recording and live concert scene, with alumni appearing on high-level sessions and stages alongside established professionals.
Looking ahead, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. Plans are underway for a 25th anniversary celebration of the Blair Big Band in 2027 and the Latin Jazz Ensemble, fresh off consecutive DownBeat wins, could see its own full-length album project.
With new music, national recognition, and an increasingly visible presence in the professional world, Blair’s jazz program is entering its next phase, one defined by both momentum and lasting impact.
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