UNI Bass Day

Chicago Bassist Dr. Crystal Rebone is the Jazz Ensemble Director at Wheaton College and Affiliate Instructor of Bass at Bradley University. Originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, Dr. Rebone graduated Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance. Graduating with her Doctorate in Jazz Performance from the University of Illinois in 2021, she has striven to research ways that middle school and high school directors can support female students in their jazz programs. Being a part of groups such as the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra, the Women in Jazz Organization, the League of Women Bass Players, and participating in events such as Jazz Girls Day has furthered this mission of inclusion and mentorship of young women in the jazz community. She has also been able to present her research at conferences and colleges throughout the United States.

An active and diverse performer, Dr. Rebone has performed all over the country with a variety of groups. She has played with countless musicians around the Midwest as well as her own bass trio, Taco Belles. During her time at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, she was a part of the premier big band, The Concert Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Charles “Chip” McNeil, the multi-award-winning Jazz Trombone Ensemble under the director of Jim Pugh, and the top combos. In March of 2020, she toured the east coast with Monika Herzig’s all-female jazz combo, Sheroes. She has brought her own trios to such places as the International Society of Bassist 2023 Conference, the 2024 Oak Park Jazz Thaw, and the Iowa City Jazz Festival. She can also be seen playing with the Chicago Tango Ensemble, the Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra, Northwest Symphony Orchestra, Shout Section Big Band, Blueshift Big Band, and the Heartland Festival Orchestra.

Dr. Rebone is equally passionate about music education. She has been an active instructor at summer camps at the University of Illinois, Simpson College, University of Iowa, and Western Illinois University. She has also adjudicated at jazz festivals at Culver-Stock College, the University of Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, and Bradley University. She also served as the Spring 2024 Artist in Residence at the College of DuPage. She holds an active private studio with a wide range of ages, string instruments, and genres.