Jeff Ellwood

Prof. Jeff Ellwood

BM— Berklee College of Music

MM— California State University, Fullerton

Director: Jazz Band, Lab Band

Director of Instrumental Jazz Studies

Jeff Ellwood

Jeff Ellwood is the director of instrumental jazz studies at Mt. San Antonio College. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music and his Master of Music degree from Cal State Fullerton.

He has studied saxophone and improvisation with: James Moody, Rick Margitza, Ralph Bowen, John Ellis, Billy Pierce, George Garzone, Hal Crook, Gary Foster, Eric Marienthal, Charlie Banacos and Jim Odgren.

While at Berklee, Jeff had the distinct pleasure of being a member of the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Herb Pomeroy. This group shared the stage with such greats as Gary Burton, John Abercrombie, Joe Zawinul, Toshiko Akiyoshi and many more.

Jeff has performed or recorded with many notable artists, such as Tony Bennett, Alan Pasqua, Rick Margitza, Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Carpenter, James Moody, Randy Brecker, Stevie Wonder, Bob Mintzer, Eddie Daniels, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Grusin, John Williams, and Quincy Jones... to name a few.

Under his direction, the Mt. SAC Jazz Band has won 1st place at the 2008 Western States Jazz Festival and 1st place at the prestigious Reno Jazz Festival in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2nd place in 2011.

Jeff has been closely working with saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, documenting all of his compositions. This work has created three volumes of bergonzi fake books entitled The Music of Jerry Bergonzi. Upcoming projects will include The Music of Dick Oatts and The Music of Rick Margitza.