Expanding the jazz footprint, on campus and beyond

Starting this fall, jazz music fans will have more than twice the number of opportunities to enjoy performances on Northwestern’s Evanston campus as the Bienen School of Music increases its jazz concert offerings from three per academic quarter to seven.

Ensembles in the jazz studies program will present music by legendary artists such as Dexter Gordon and Louis Armstrong; lesser-known but highly influential artists including Kenny Dorham and Mary Lou Williams; and original compositions and arrangements by Bienen jazz studies students.

“Our expanded jazz offerings will further extend the jazz footprint here at Northwestern University and in Evanston as a whole,” says Derrick Gardner, the Bienen School’s interim director of jazz studies.

Beginning this fall, the Northwestern University Jazz Orchestra will give two concerts per quarter; the Jazz Small Ensembles will give four concerts per quarter; and the new Northwestern University Jazz Ensemble will give one concert per quarter.

“Our newly formed Northwestern University Jazz Ensemble offers invaluable experiences and opportunities for undergraduate jazz majors, non-jazz majors and non-music majors to continue sharpening their skills,” Gardner said. “Audiences can expect a very high level of musicianship and a very entertaining concert experience.”

The first concert is scheduled for Monday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the McClintock Choral and Recital Room.  The Derrick Gardner and Kevin Fort ensembles celebrate the music of two jazz masters; trumpeter, singer and composer McKinley Howard “Kenny” Dorham and saxophonist Sonny Rollins. 

All performances will be accessible via a livestream.