Dr. Robert Washut has been a jazz educator at the University of Northern Iowa for 38 years, where he served as Director of Jazz Studies from 1980-2002. An accomplished jazz composer and arranger, Washut has received numerous commissions from collegiate and high school jazz ensembles, professional jazz artists, and symphony orchestras. Many of his works are published by Kendor Music, UNC Jazz Press, ejazzlines, C.L. Barnhouse, Heritage JazzWorks, Sierra Music, and Really Good Music. Washut also has served as a jazz composer-in-residence at several universities around the country.
Additionally, Dr. Washut is an accomplished jazz pianist who founded the locally popular Latin jazz band, Orquesta Alto Maiz, in 1986, with which he remained for 27 years. At UNI he was the recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2015, and the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences Dean's Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity in 2014. He received the Outstanding Teaching Award in 1996.
With the help of UNI jazz alumni, faculty, and guests, Dr. Washut will be giving his “Swan Song” concert on Saturday, April 28th at 7:30 p.m. in Bengtson Auditorium on the UNI campus. The concert will serve as the official CD release of his newest recording, “Journey to Knowhere,” which features his original compositions for jazz dodectet.
