The Course

Carroll Senior High School has three audition-only jazz ensembles that meet for course credit during the school day. Students are exposed to a variety of great composers and improvisers by rehearsing music, listening critically to recordings, transcribing recorded jazz solos and much more. The three jazz bands perform frequently around the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and in the Southlake community.

David Lown, Jazz Director 

David Lown is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where he directed the Four O’Clock Lab Band and performed with the acclaimed One O'Clock Lab Band. While a member of the One O'Clock Band, Lown recorded a live album with Kenny Wheeler, and performed with many other artists such as Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, and Tim Hagans. He was also the winner of the 2002 North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz competition. Lown then worked actively in New York City for several years, performing with the Dave Liebman Big Band, Bill Warfield's New York Fusion Ensemble and many others. In addition to directing the Carroll Jazz program, Mr. Lown performs regularly with drummer Stockton Helbing and his quintet.

 Awards

Guest Artists

Students get plenty of opportunities to learn from talented artists right at school. Carroll Jazz has held clinics with Vincent Gardner, Frank Basile, Adonis Rose, Wayne Bergeron, and Stockton Helbing and have headlined concerts for the Jazz Ambassadors and the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra.