Biography

Dr. Molly Redfield is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. She is an established bassist, arranger, and jazz educator and is excited to share her passion of teaching jazz education both with the campus and the community. 

As a bassist, Dr. Redfield was chosen for the 2022 Jazz Education Network, Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo, awarded the 2017 Outstanding Festival Soloist Award at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, and awarded the 2016 Outstanding Collegiate Rhythm Section Performer at the Reno International Jazz Festival. She has recorded with Kenny Rampton, Gilbert Castellanos, and Clint Holmes. She has performed with Allison Miller, Ingrid Jensen, Gregg Bissonnette, Butch Miles, Judith Hill, and more. Dr. Redfield can be heard on recordings with the Las Vegas Joi Jazz Orchestra, Dr. Jennifer Bellor, the Grammy-nominated and American Prize-winning UNLV Wind Orchestra, UNLV Honors Quartet (selected 2019 JEN performers), and DownBeat Magazine, student award winning UNLV Jazz Ensemble I and CSUS 1’oclock Jazz Band.

As an arranger, Dr. Redfield received a 2021 DownBeat Magazine, Student Music Award for her vocal arrangement of “Moonglow.” Additionally, her arrangements and compositions can be heard on CDs published under Vegas Records with the UNLV Jazz Ensemble I, Honors Quartet, and the Geri Allen Memorial Combo. 

Dr. Redfield has been invited to present at the LMEA In-Service, Jazz Education Network, and the Capitol Section CMEA In-Service. Her research is in teaching the young rhythm section, inclusion of women in jazz studies, and jazz sampling hip-hop. 

Dr. Redfield earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in String Bass Performance and her Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Prior to attending UNLV, she attended Sacramento State where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and earned her Bachelor of Music Education, with an emphasis in Classical Bass Performance, and a Bachelor of Music, Jazz Bass Performance.