Concert Jazz Orchestra
Since 1974, the Concert Jazz Orchestra has developed a standard of excellence producing many successful musicians who have made significant contributions to the music industry. Under the direction of CSULB Director of Jazz Studies Jeff Jarvis, this ensemble performs works ranging from big band compositions to extended works for jazz orchestra. Student compositions are programmed regularly. In addition to traditional big band instrumentation, the CJO includes a French horn section, vocalists, auxiliary percussionists, and frequently collaborates with choirs, vocal jazz groups, and other ensembles.
The Concert Jazz Orchestra has achieved local, national, and international recognition through numerous appearances at jazz festivals, educational conventions, and Command Performances. Some of the more notable performances include the Montreux International Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl and the prestigious U.C. Berkeley Jazz Festival.They have won top awards and honors at many competetive festivals and have consistently been Champions of the Pacific Coast Jazz Festival in many different instrumental and vocal divisions. The CJO most recently took 1st place in Monterey's Prestigious "Next Generation Jazz Festival", in late March 2007. The win led to a command performance at the landmark 50th Monterey Jazz Festival, where CJO shared the spotlight with such jazz giants as Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Gerald Wilson, Diana Krall, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, and Dave Brubeck.
The ensemble has also appeared at conventions for the International Association of Jazz Educators, National Music Educatiors Association, the California Music Educators Association, and have been seen on stage at Disneyland, Magic Mountian, the Long Beach Grand Prix and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
The Ensemble, originally founded by John Prince as part of the West Coast's first four-year commercial music program, has performed with such jazz notables as Bobby McFerrin, Rich Matteson, Bobby Bryant, Clare Fischer, Roy Burns, Ashley Alexander, Gary Foster, Eddie Daniels, Dave Pike, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Flora Purim, Airto, Ross Thompkins, John Heard, Tommy Newsom, George Duke, George Graham, Ernie Andrews, Jack Sheldon, Les McCann, Don Shelton, Mike Monagan, Buddy Collette, Bill Liston, Shelly Berg, Bob McChesney, Ron Stout, Bruce Eskovitz, Sal Lozano, Jay Mason, and Randy Drake.
Concert Jazz Orchestra epitomizes excellence through its performances, and is noted as one of the top college jazz groups in the United States.
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