<p>Without full instrumentation, NU is not really an opportunity in jazz at all. Jazz is not played in isolation, so whether or not Goines has pulled in a bunch of PT pros to teach, without enough kids on all instruments to form combos, ensembles or big bands, the program will continue to suffer. It hasn’t been pulled together in the five years since I have been watching it (with great hopes, I should add, as they named a new director), so I don’t expect a magic transformation this year. It’s a shame.</p>