Jazz Season

Welcome to the Jazz Season page.

Our four jazz ensembles perform twice each semester. SSU Jazz ensembles include:

  • SSU Jazz Orchestra – the flagship 18-piece ensemble performing Big Band standards and modern jazz ensemble repertoire
  • Concert Jazz Combos – two ensembles each semester rotating on a particular jazz sub-genre or era
  • Latin Band – devoted to the styles, rhythms, and concepts found in music from the Caribbean, Brazil, and Haiti 

Concerts:
Wednesday, March 4 - SSU Jazz Orchestra and Latin Band - Weill Hall - 7:30

Friday, March 6 - SSU Jazz Combos Featuring Guest Artist Kasey Knudsen - Schroeder Hall - 7:30

Tuesday, May 5 - SSU Early Jazz Combo and Latin Band - Schroeder Hall - 7:30

Friday, May 8 - SSU Jazz Orchestra & SSU Jazz Composers - Weill Hall - 7:30

 

Special Events:
Friday, January 17 - CMEA Jazz Festival - Green Music Center - Free and open to the public - All Day
 

Jazz Forums are now on Fridays from Noon - 2:00 p.m.

Jan 24 - John Stowell http://www.johnstowell.com/

Feb 14 - Token Girl https://www.tokengirlmusic.com/ - three alums of the SSU Jazz program!

Feb 21 - Rudy Royston's Flatbed Buggy http://www.rudyroyston.com/

Feb 28 - SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble

April 24 - SSU Jazz Composers Showcase

The SSU Jazz Studies program gratefully acknowledges the support of Zildjian Cymbals and Markbass.

     

     

    Friday, January 17, 2020

    This is the CMEA, California Music Educators Association, logo

    CMEA Jazz Festival

    Weill Hall in the Green Music Center

    Sonoma State University is once again hosting the CMEA, California Music Educators Association, Jazz Festival. This event features jazz groups from around Northern California and is free and open to the public.View Event Details

    Wednesday, March 4, 2020

    This is a photograph of the Sonoma State University Jazz Orchestra performing

    SSU Jazz Orchestra & Latin Band

    Weill Hall in the Green Music Center

    Our own Sonoma State University big band, the Jazz Orchestra, directed by Doug Leibinger, takes the stage for their annual Spring concert on March 4th along with SSU's Latin Band directed by Kendrick Freedman. Please join us for some fun and some straight-ahead jazz in Weill Hall in the Green Music Center.View Event Details

    Friday, March 6, 2020

    Kasey Knudsen sitting and holding a saxophone

    SSU Jazz Combos Featuring Guest Artist Kasey Knudsen

    Schroeder Hall in the Green Music Center

    Please join the Jazz Combos concert in Schroeder Hall on March 6th featuring Kasey Knudsen on saxophone! SSU Jazz Composers Combo, directed by Kasey Knudsen, and SSU Early Jazz Combo, directed by Andrew Stephens.View Event Details

    Tuesday, May 5, 2020

    This is a photograph from the Spring 2019 Jazz Combo Concert at Sonoma State University

    SSU Early Jazz Combo & Latin Band - CANCELLED

    Schroeder Hall in the Green Music Center
    We regret to inform you, that in the interest of public health, we have decided to cancel this performance based on the guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

    Each SSU Concert Jazz Combo specializes in a sub-genre or era, including Latin, modern, World, Big Band, straight-ahead, and original compositions. The Latin Band, begins with rhythm and diverse percussion, and layers vocal and instrumental lines. Latin Band directed by Kendrick Freeman and SSU Early Jazz Combo, directed by Andrew Stephens.View Event Details

    Friday, May 8, 2020

    The Sonoma State University Jazz Band performs in Weill Hall in the Green Music Center

    SSU Jazz Orchestra & SSU Jazz Composers - CANCELLED

    Weill Hall in the Green Music Center
    We regret to inform you, that in the interest of public health, we have decided to cancel this performance based on the guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

    Doug Leibinger, Director of Jazz Studies, leads the Sonoma State University Jazz Orchestra and Kasey Knudsen will direct the SSU Jazz Composers. Our big, 18-piece, band specializes in finger-snapping classics with some modern pieces in the repertoire.View Event Details