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
7th Annual Jazz Week October 16-18
The Sonoma State University Jazz Week takes place annually in the Fall semester, featuring an exciting lineup of workshops, guest artists and concert performances by selected high school jazz ensembles who also receive clinics from our Jazz faculty.
Jazz Week includes three full-length evening concerts; Jazz Forum; a free Thursday lunchtime concert by the SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble; and Jazz Day —devoted to clinics and performing opportunities for high school jazz musicians. Up to 12 high school jazz ensembles will be selected to participate.
Jazz Week Schedule
Concert tickets $8, parking included.
Admission is free to SSU students and Jazz Day participants.
- SSU Jazz Combo Concert | Tuesday, October 16, 7:30 PM Schroeder Hall
- SSU Jazz Orchestra Concert | Thursday, October 18, 7:30 PM Weill Hall
These events are Free and open to the public. Daily parking charge $5.
- Jazz Forum | Wednesday, October 17, 1:00 PM GMC 1029
- Jazz Day | Thursday, October 18, 9 AM-5 PM Weill and Schroeder Halls
- SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble | Thursday, October 18, 12:30 PM Weill Hall
For information call the Department of Music at (707) 664-2324 or email leibinge@sonoma.edu.
Jazz Forum
Each Wednesday at 1, invited composers and performers play their music in a relaxed atmosphere for an audience that includes Jazz Studies majors and members of the community. Jazz Forum takes place in GMC 1029 and is free to the public. Daily parking fee ($5) in effect.
Jan 30 - Harvey Wainapel & the Berkeley Choro Ensemble
Feb 6 - John Stowell, guitar
Feb 13 - student instruction
Feb 27 - Carl Allen, drums
March 6 - SSU Latin Band; Melecio Magdaluyo, clinician
March 13 - SSU Jazz Composers Combo; Alison Poteracke, clinician
March 27 - Sylvia Cuenca w/Roni Ber Hur & Harvie S.
April 3 - Dmitri Matheny, flugelhorn
April 10 - SSU Duke Ellington Combo
April 17 - USAF Band of the Golden West Commanders Jazz Ensemble
April 24 - John Fedchock, trombone
May 1 - Juries
May 8 - Tyler Blanton, vibes
The SSU Jazz Studies program gratefully acknowledges the support of Zildjian Cymbals and Markbass.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Rock, Strings & Horns: A Concert For Violet
Special guests Nicole Yarling, voice & violin
John R. Palmer, piano and keyboards
Eric Cabalo, electric guitar
SSU Jazz Orchestra with strings and choir
Performing the music of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Billy Joel, Neil Young, Thomas Dolby and more!
Doug Leibinger, director
SSU Jazz Studies Director Doug Leibinger grew up in the 70’s and early 80’s in suburban Chicago, where he and his mother, Violet, spent countless hours listening to the radio and LPs. Violet passed away six years ago...View Event Details
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Jazz Combo Concert
Jazz Combo Concert
Kicking off Jazz Week. Program details to come.View Event Details
Thursday, October 18, 2018
SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble
The public is invited to this free lunchtime concert provided by the SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble as part of the 7th Annual Jazz Day.
SSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble Doug Leibinger and George Marsh, directors
Kasey Knudsen, saxophone Daniel Gianola-Norris, trumpet Doug Leibinger, trombone Randy Vincent, guitar Ken Cook, piano Cliff Hugo, bass George Marsh, drums Kendrick Freeman, percussion
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Jazz Week Closing Concert: Jazz Orchestra & Guests
JAZZ WEEK Closing Concert: Jazz Orchestra & Guests
Program information to be announced.View Event Details
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Jazz Combo Concert
Performers and musical selections will be announced at a later date.View Event Details
Friday, December 7, 2018
SSU Jazz Orchestra
Doug Leibinger leads the Jazz program's flagship ensemble, the SSU Jazz Orchestra in Big Band standards and modern jazz ensemble repertoire. Program details to be released.View Event Details
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Jazz Combo Concert
Program details to come.View Event Details
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Faculty Composers Concert
The music faculty boasts many active composers who write music in all genres, from art song and musical theatre to contemporary Classical, Jazz and avant-garde. This annual celebration of original music draws top classical and jazz performers from throughout the North Bay.
Program
Three Songs; Brian S. Wilson (b. 1962) I. Wandering The River (from Kherdian Songs) II. My Soul Is Dark (from Byron Songs) III. My Mother’s Irises (from Kherdian Songs) Christa Durand, voice Matthew Arnerich, piano Musiamunat Day 2; Thomas Limbert (b. 1974) (Papua New Guinea soundscape composition – sounds recorded by Eddie Game)...View Event DetailsFriday, March 15, 2019
World Premiere Jazz
An evening of new music composed and arranged by SSU Faculty, Alumni & Students.
The SSU Jazz Orchestra performs original compositions and arrangements by SSU alumna Alison Poteracke: Director of Jazz Studies Doug Leibinger: and Cuban pianist Miguel de Armas. Also featuring the SSU Jazz Composers Combo directed by Kasey Knudsen.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Jazz Combo Concert
Program details to comeView Event Details