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For Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee, it doesn鈥檛 seem all that long ago that he was playing a gig with a small combo at yet another wedding. Around him were a handful of bored players, earning another paycheck. 鈥淏ut regardless of whether it鈥檚 a rehearsal or a gig, it鈥檚 important to always put forth your best effort,鈥� says the trombonist and composer/arranger extraordinaire. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I told the kids at Indianola last month: 鈥榊ou鈥檝e got to play full power all the time. Give it 100% effort.鈥欌�澨�
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McKee was referring to his recent visit to Indianola High School: On Feb. 17, his high school alma mater inaugurated the Paul McKee Jazz Festival, rebranded in tribute to an illustrious alumnus. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge honor and a big event,鈥� he explains. 鈥淔orty bands competed in the festival鈥攆rom middle school to high school.听

鈥淣ext year, I鈥檓 going to write a piece for the Indianola High School Jazz Band鈥攁nd maybe come back and play something.鈥� This year, McKee served as a guest judge.

Being recognized in this way invites reflection on an unusual life in music鈥攐ne in which McKee nimbly juggles academics with exciting experiences in jazz performance including a stint with the legendary Woody Herman鈥檚 Thundering Herd.听

鈥淚 always wanted to play,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut I felt that getting a college degree would be a wise choice, so I earned music education and composition degrees. I later had the opportunity to send an audition tape to the Woody Herman band. That was in 1984.听

鈥淚 had sought out opportunities to go out on the road鈥攕o when they brought me on board, I was ecstatic. It was one of the big deals of my lifetime.鈥澨�

McKee鈥檚 years as a traveling musician still serve as a valuable experience to share with his students. 鈥淚 always strive to teach by example,鈥� he points out. 鈥淚 give them the ball and let them run with it.鈥�

On May 9, McKee鈥檚 impact will extend beyond the classroom to the university commencement ceremony at Folsom Field stadium, premiering his new arrangement of the familiar theme from Sir Edward Elgar鈥檚 Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1 In D (1901), performed and recorded by students in the college鈥檚 Thompson Jazz Studies Program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a contemporary arrangement in three parts capturing the diversity of our graduates and our campus community,鈥� explains McKee. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l hear a big band rendition of the march, then in the Latin montuno style and finally in the New Orleans style that should lighten things up for everybody.鈥�

This eclectic musical mix both mirrors McKee鈥檚 approach to life and the lessons he imparts in his teaching, and reflects the College of Music鈥檚 universal musician mission: 鈥淭he more skills you have, the stronger a candidate you are for finding interesting, interdisciplinary work,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I reinforce in mentoring my students. I encourage them to build on what they鈥檝e experienced, what they鈥檝e learned and what they know, and to understand how much they have to offer.鈥�