Jazz Ensemble I and II
Jazz Ensemble I
All members of this award-winning ensemble are selected by audition each semester, with primary consideration given to sight-reading and jazz-improvisation skills. You must be enrolled in order to participate in this class. Jazz Ensemble I has:
- Down Beat Magazine Student Music Awards Large Jazz Ensemble Graduate College Outstanding Performance
- Toured Europe, Japan, Poland, South America, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
- Performed at the San Sebastian Jazz Festival.
- Shared the top billing with the Freddie Hubbard Sextet.
- Been featured in concerts and recordings with artists-in-residence and special guest artists throughout the year.
- Recorded several CDs that have received critical acclaim, including the Downbeat Five-Star Award for Muy Caliente.
- Reno Jazz Festival Winner College Combo Division and Outstanding College Performers
- Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival College Big Band Finalist
- IAJE Sisters In Jazz Quintet
- Performed in concert with Manhattan Transfer, Bebe Neuwirth, Ben Vereen, Marvin Hamlish, Tommy Tune and the casts of Forbidden Broadway, Jeckyll and Hyde.
Other tours have taken the band to:
- The Kennedy Center
- The Village Vanguard
- The Hawaii International Jazz Festival
- The Telluride International Jazz Festival
In addition the band has performed with such artists as:
- Chris Potter
- Tim Hagans
- Joe La Barbera
- George Garzone
- Marlena Shaw
- Ruth Brown
- Shirley Horn
- James Moody
- Ron Carter
- Harvey Mason
- Phil Woods
- Monty Alexander
- Wayne Bergeron
- Rich Perry
- Jiggs Wiggham
- Clay Jenkins
- Bobby Shew
- Ernie Watts
- Carl Fontana
- Joe Williams
- Bob Sheppard
Jazz Ensemble II
Members of this ensemble are selected by audition each semester. Participation is limited to enrolled students. Jazz Ensemble II is featured in concerts and with various guest artists.
