Ensembles

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OSU Jazz Orchestra

The OSU Jazz Orchestra is the premier performing group of the OSU Jazz Studies program. Highly qualified students are selected by audition for placement in the group at the start of each academic year. Instrumentation consists of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, bass, piano, drums, and guitar. All university students are invited to audition.

 

Averaging 6-7 concerts per year, the OSU Jazz Orchestra regularly premiers arrangements and compositions specifically written for the group for its on and off campus concerts and/or CD and Video recordings. Averaging 2-3 guest artists annually, recent guest artists have included Kenny Werner, Joel Frahm, Vince DiMartino, Michael Dease, Seamus Blake, Christian McBride, John Daversa, Geoffrey Keezer, Wycliffe Gordon, Conrad Herwig, Bobby Shew, and Randy Brecker.

 

OSU Jazz Orchestra CD’s have received critical acclaim from All About Jazz, JazzEd Magazine, JazzTimes Magazine, Outside in Music, among others. Its most recent albums, Solid Gold and Room 118 have received radio play from Tulsa OK, to Chicago IL, to the Czech Republic.

 

The ensemble has been invited to perform at the 2020, 2023, and 2024 Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conferences, in the undergraduate/graduate jazz school category. 

 

 

OSU Jazz Ensemble

The OSU Jazz Ensemble is a preparatory group for the OSU Jazz Orchestra. In this ensemble, students focus on the fundamentals of big band styles. Performing twice per semester, this ensemble performs classic big band repertoire by composers/arrangers Sammy Nestico, John Fedchock, and Bob Mintzer, among others. Placement in the group is by audition at the start of each academic year. All university students are invited to audition. Instrumentation consists of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, bass, piano, drums, and guitar.

 

OSU Jazz Combos

Jazz Combo is the chamber music of jazz. This small group setting provides more space for students to develop their improvising and learn standard jazz songs. OSU Jazz Combos perform 2-4 concerts per semester. Combo sizes vary from 4-7 members.