Conservatory of Music and Dance 4949 Cherry Street Kansas City, MO 64110 816-235-2900 www.umkc.edu/conservatory To Whom It May Concern, I am writing this letter in enthusiastic support of jazz educator, pianist, composer and arranger Wayne Hawkins as an applicant for a faculty position in Jazz Studies at your institution. I have known Wayne since 1999, when I relocated to Kansas City from the West Coast. Since that time we have worked together in several capacities. I am intimately familiar with the depth of his playing, composing, and professionalism. Based upon countless interactions, and upon the respect that Wayne commands from his students, colleagues, and fellow musicians, I most highly recommend him to you for any music position without reservation. Wayne s experience as a university level jazz educator consists of many years of having taught a wide array of jazz classes in a university jazz program. He has directed ensembles, classes on improvisation, coached arranging and composition and taught jazz pedagogy, in addition to applied jazz piano. Wayne has a reputation for challenging his students and is able to raise the level of their playing and increase their understanding of jazz. His commitment to education does not stop at the classroom as Wayne is producing his second jazz piano book for Hal Leonard. As a jazz pianist, Wayne s playing lands firmly in the mainstream. His post-bop improvisational language is authentic and heartfelt without being cliché. He has emerged as a unique voice with original compositions and creative arrangements in the vibrant and competitive jazz market of greater Kansas City while his jazz recordings have garnered critical acclaim on a national level. I have had the fortune of having Hawkins as a member of Voyage since it s founding in 2010. Our recent release featured a number of his original compositions and the national jazz airplay charts identified the band. His performance skills are unparalleled and he is one of the most creative pianists I have had the blessing of working with. Wayne has many characteristics of a good teacher and musician. He is highly articulate, interesting, interested, open-minded, flexible and trustworthy. He searches for meaning in material, is understanding, a team player, and is a good communicator. He has a breezy, laid back attitude that instantly puts people at ease, while still holding high standards for himself and others. I believe Wayne has the performance skills, aptitude and desire to be a great music educator and will have an immediate impact on any program he is associated with. I am sure that he would be a welcomed addition your school s highly respected faculty. I hope you will give him a call. He is worthy of your time and attention. Thank you for your consideration of the application of Wayne Hawkins for this position and please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience if I may be of any further assistance. My contact information is provided below. Sincerely, Dan Thomas Associate Director of Jazz Studies Co-Chair Division of Jazz Studies Conservatory of Music and Dance University of Missouri-Kansas City 4949 Cherry Street Kansas City, MO 64110 (816) 235-6078 UMKC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.
thomasdanb@umkc.edu UMKC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.
May 15, 2013 To whom it may concern: I am writing to you to give my highest recommendation for Wayne Hawkins, who has served as a member of our Jazz Studies faculty at the University of Kansas for the past several years. Due to an impending budget cut, we have lost funding for Wayne's position for the upcoming academic year. As a result, we are unfortunately losing Wayne as a valuable and accomplished member of our faculty. Wayne has taught numerous courses within the KU Jazz Studies Program since his arrival at KU, including private jazz piano lessons, a classroom-based Introduction to Jazz Piano course geared for nonpianists, Jazz Theory, both levels of our Jazz Improvisation sequence, and has directed several of our jazz combos, including several semesters with the Latin Jazz Combo. He has also been a longtime member of the faculty for the KU Jazz Workshop, our week-long summer program for high school students. In each case, Wayne has done excellent work. Our students have made great progress under his instruction, and they have very much enjoyed working and studying with him. He is a great teacher with a calm and welcoming approach in the classroom. As a performer, Wayne is among the very best professional musicians in any genre in the Kansas City area. His continued high profile in the region has served as an excellent role model for our students; many of them have made it a point to attend Wayne's professional engagements, serving as great inspiration for their continued improvement as aspiring musicians. I have personally always enjoyed performing with Wayne as well; he is one of the first musicians I met when I moved here 23 years ago, and one of the first ones I call when I have a project that requires an exceptional jazz pianist. Wayne Hawkins has been a fantastic colleague, and we are very sorry to lose his services this next year. He will be a great addition to the music faculty of any institution that values a dedicated professional and accomplished educator. I recommend him highly to you, with no reservations. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Dan Gailey Director of Jazz Studies Professor of Music The University of Kansas