Jazz Ensembles

Southern Jazz Orchestra

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The Southern Jazz Orchestra is under the direction of Dr. Jeff Macomber The great music of the Count Basie Band, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Woody Herman Herds, Buddy Rich Band and Stan Kenton Orchestra constitute the basis of literature. However, the ensemble will also perform new, progressive and contemporary literature. Tentative plans for the upcoming academic year include performance tours, formal concerts, appearances with guest soloists and jazz clinician/master classes.

Take The A Train

Jazz Combos

The Jazz Studies program offers numerous configurations of combos from trios to nonets. Each ensemble focusses on the study of jazz improvisation and jazz theory/harmony. There are currently three jazz combos and each performs numerous times each semester throughout the community. Students can enroll in jazz combo by signing up for the course: Jazz Improvisation

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Click to hear the Jazz Combo!

Jazz Performances

The Southern Jazz Septet take a sightseeing break in Banff, British Columbia while on their Canadian Performance Tour.

Southern jazz ensembles have taken part in performance tours to London, England, Tortolla, British Virgin Islands, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

Each Spring the Jazz Orchestra features a guest soloist to perform in concert. Past soloists have included: Dave Stahl, Paul McKee, Debbie Schuerer, Carl Knox, Bill Bergren, Michael Spiro, Bill Hunt, and others. Dr. Robert Washut, Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Northen Iowa, was commissioned to compose "Cubaniando". This original work highlighted the University's International Mission in 2002 and was premiered by the Southern Jazz Orchestra. The work is published by the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press.