Congratulations to Professor Jim Carroll who has been selected as a recipient of the 2018 George Mason University Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Linda Monson, Director of the School of Music, said that this highly prestigious university award brings great honor and recognition to Professor Carroll for his incredible teaching, commitment, and dedication to the School of Music's Jazz Studies Area. The award ceremony will take place on April 16, in the Center for the Arts lobby.
Professor Carroll, also the founder and artistic director of the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra (a big band featuring the finest professional jazz musicians from the D.C. metro area) and the Jazz Connection, has a versatile background ranging from tours with Michael Jackson to Woody Herman and The Thundering Herd. Jim received both his Undergraduate and Graduate training from Indiana University under the tutelage of David Baker and Eugene Rousseau.
His travels have taken him to major venues in each of the fifty states, Europe and the Far East. He has performed at the Aurex, Nice, Bern, Concord, Montreux, Kool, Monterey, Newport, North Sea, Perugia, and Pori jazz festivals. Active as an educator, he has taught at Butler University, Capital University and the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops.
He has authored several volumes through Hal Leonard’s “Artists Transcriptions” series, including a collaboration with jazz legend Sonny Rollins. His arrangement and performance of “The Ballgame” can be heard at the main entrance of Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Mr. Carroll was a charter member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, in residence at the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. He performed, recorded and toured with the group until 1999 when he assumed the position as Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University.
When asked for his reaction to winning this prestigious award, Professor Carroll said:
"I am humbled and honored to be the recipient of a Mason Teaching Excellence Award. How could I have been so lucky to end up at George Mason University at this point in our history? I am grateful beyond words for all of the opportunities, for myself, but especially for our students. Watching and getting to participate as the entire university grows, matures and achieves its destiny of greatness is constantly reinvigorating. I especially love our diversity and integration.
A quick walk through the Johnson Center says it all. The whole world is there. Over my twenty (20) years teaching at Mason, I have observed students from such diverse backgrounds and cultures engaging one another in ever increasing and meaningful interactions. Unfortunately, it is not that way everywhere in America….yet. We are the leaders."
He is passionate about spreading the word of the power of the arts to bring people together, change lives and do good in the world.
Jim resides in Manassas, Virginia with his wife Janette.