UT Tyler Announces 2026 Jazz Camp June 22 – 26 

Internationally Recognized Trombonist Ben Patterson Featured 

TYLER, Texas (June 10, 2026) – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Performing Arts will host  its 2026 Jazz Camp June 22 – 26, bringing together middle school, high school, collegiate and adult  musicians for a week of intensive jazz study, performance and collaboration.

“We are excited to celebrate the ninth annual UT Tyler Jazz Camp this summer,” said Dr. Sarah  Roberts, UT Tyler associate professor and School of Performing Arts director. “For nearly a decade,  the camp has provided students from across the state of Texas and beyond the opportunity to learn  from outstanding artists and educators while building a vibrant community of jazz musicians.”

The camp offers participants the opportunity to perform in jazz ensembles, study improvisation and attend masterclasses in a welcoming environment focused on musical growth, creativity and  community. Registration is available online. For questions or additional information, contact  Roberts at sroberts@uttyler.edu. Space is limited.

This year’s featured guest artist is Ben Patterson. A native of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Patterson studied  at the University of North Texas before embarking on a distinguished career that has spanned more  than two decades. He spent 22 years with The Airmen of Note, the premier jazz ensemble of the  United States Air Force, where he served as lead trombonist and later music director. During his  tenure, he performed throughout the United States and internationally, recorded 16 albums,  worked alongside renowned artists including Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker and Christian  McBride, and performed for U.S. presidents.

“Ben Patterson is one of the most dynamic performers and educators in jazz today,” Roberts said. “His passion for teaching and his extraordinary artistry makes him the perfect guest artist for our  students.”

Patterson also leads the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra and The Ben Patterson Group. His recordings  have received national acclaim, including appearances on the JazzWeek “Top 50” radio chart. An  active educator, Patterson has presented clinics and masterclasses across the country and currently  serves as a master trombone instructor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Jazz Camp events open to the public throughout the week include:

Wednesday, June 24 

• 6 – 9 p.m. at True Vine Brewing Company in Tyler – Community Jazz Jam. Open to musicians and  community members of all ages.

Thursday, June 25 

• 7 – 9 p.m. at UT Tyler Cowan Center – Jazz Camp Faculty Big Band and Ben Patterson Concert.

Friday, June 26 

• 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. at UT Tyler Cowan Center – Jazz Camp Finale Concert.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT  Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students.  Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has  unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent  patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World  Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.