Photographer Keith Munson
When jazz students return to Eugene in the fall, a new Director of Jazz Studies will be at the helm. “I am flattered and honored,” new director, Paul Krueger, said. “I’m excited to do everything I can to help students maximize their potential.”
As director, Paul will oversee the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in jazz studies. He will also oversee and coordinate around 15 ensembles, which have a combined 30 performances every year. He will also ensure faculty and graduate employees have the support they need to succeed and lead the charge in community outreach and recruitment efforts.
In addition to his administrative roles, he will teach advanced arranging, jazz pedagogy, and a few other courses. “I'm excited about that!” Paul said. “One of the reasons I enjoy my time so much here at UO and applied for the director position is because I love working with the students. The students here are hardworking, high achievers, and they are a joy to be around. Working with them is the highlight of my day, and I love watching them grow here at UO.”
Paul earned his bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2009, and his master's degree in jazz studies from the University of Oregon’s School of Music and Dance in June 2011.
After graduation, he taught instrumental music at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD. He later served as the applied trumpet instructor at Willamette University and as a music instructor and the director of the symphonic band and jazz ensemble at Lane Community College. Under his direction, the Lane Jazz Ensemble was named best community college large jazz ensemble in Downbeat Magazine's Student Music Awards.
Since returning to UO’s campus in 2016, he has been an instructor of jazz studies. He teaches jazz trumpet lessons, Advanced Jazz Arranging, Jazz Pedagogy, the Oregon Jazz Ensemble, and small jazz ensemble. Since September 2022, he has served as the interim director of jazz studies.
“Our jazz studies program has a tradition of excellence that I'm looking to sustain,” Paul said. “It has been a strong program for a long time under the direction of Steve Owen and I have always been inspired by his leadership. As the director, I want to facilitate a positive environment where students can maximize their abilities and where faculty have the support and the resources that they need to help students on that journey.”
Outside of work, one of his priorities is to remain an active performer. “I think that if you're going to be in the position of being an educator, and you're working with the younger generation of students that are trying to learn about this music and study it, it's important that you have firsthand knowledge as a practitioner of the art form,” Paul said.
He says the study of music is a lifelong journey and he is committed to sharing the ups and downs of his own journey with students. Part of that sharing process is inviting them to professional gigs. “Hearing music being played by experienced professional musicians is a crucial way for students to learn.”
Oftentimes, students are invited onstage to perform as well. In that vein, Paul and assistant professor Keith Brown started a new jam session at the Jazz Station. "It is a new idea that bubbled up because we want to see more opportunities for students to play with each other and with faculty,” Paul said. “Both Keith and I have run one of those sessions and it gives us, along with other faculty who have participated, an opportunity to step up on the bandstand, perform with students, and learn from each other that way. Sessions like these are also great for community-building.”
Paul has published numerous works as a composer/arranger, was named a winner of a Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award for best jazz arrangement, and later named a three-time winner of a Herb Alpert ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. His works for large jazz ensemble have been performed internationally and featured by artists such as Steve Wilson, Kendrick Scott, and Eric Alexander. His debut album, The Wayward Traveler, features eight original works for small group.
Paul also serves as the director of JazzArts Oregon, the UO Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp, the co-director of the Oregon Jazz Festival, and director of the UO Day of Improvisation—an annual one-day workshop for high school students in the state of Oregon. He is active as an adjudicator and clinician at festivals and competitions around the country.