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 

 

Jazz Forums are now on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Schroeder Hall, room 1029 

January 25 - Lorin Benedict and Andrew Emer

March 8 - Harvey Wainapel Quartet

March 15 - SSU Latin Band with guitarist and SSU alum, Dave MacNab

March 29 - SSU Concert Jazz Ensemble with saxophonist, Kasey Knudsen

April 12 - Paul Hanson

April 19 - Edu Ribeiro, Noah Garabedian, & Vincius Gomes

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

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Brass ensemble performing on stage of Schroeder Hall with bright lights

SSU Jazz Combos

Schroeder Hall

Join us in beautiful Schroeder Hall for the first SSU jazz performance of the semester. It will feature the 6-piece SSU Concert Jazz Ensemble, fresh off of their performance with Wynton Marsalis for the Party on the Green; as well as the amazing SSU Latin Band directed by Kendrick Freeman, featuring tunes from South America and the Caribbean.View Event Details

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Jazz Orchestra on stage with director Doug Leibinger on the mic

SSU Jazz Orchestra with special guest band: the Maria Carillo High School Jazz Band

Weill Hall

Join us in Weill Hall for a swinging evening of big band music starting with special guests from Santa Rosa: the Maria Carillo High School Jazz 1 directed by Matt Bridgedahl. The SSU Jazz Orchestra, directed by Doug Leibinger, finishes the night with a world premiere and other surprises!

SSU Jazz Orchestra and Maria Carillo High School Digital Program View Event Details

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Jazz ensemble performing on stage

SSU Jazz Orchestra featuring the world premiere of "I Can Dream: a Jazz Suite" by Alison Poteracke

Weill Hall
Jazz Orchestra December Digital Program Join the SSU Jazz Orchestra in Weill Hall for a night of socially-conscious music featuring the world premiere of SSU alumna Alison Poteracke's I Can Dream: a Jazz Suite, a multi-movement work featuring impressions of sorrow and hope in today's society. "How often do we as people forget the impact we can have on each other? Each decision has a consequence, and that consequence leads to another, then another, then another until there’s a collision. An impact that, for better or worse, alters the perception of the world around us. Now...View Event Details

Thursday, December 8, 2022

SSU Jazz Combos

Schroeder Hall

Finish out the SSU jazz season in style in the incredible Schroeder Hall featuring the SSU Concert Jazz Ensemble directed by Doug Leibinger; and the SSU Latin Band directed by Kedrick Freeman.

Jazz Combos Digital Program View Event Details

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Jazz Combos

Schroeder Hall
Join the 7-piece Sonoma State Concert Jazz Ensemble for a swinging evening of diverse works by some of the all-time great jazz composers including Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Carla Bley, and more! Plus the SSU Latin Band will perform. SSU Concert Jazz Ensemble Gregory is Here...................Horace Silver (1928–2014) Infant Eyes....................Wayne Shorter (b. 1933), Lyrics by Mike Fahie Nutty....................Thelonious Monk (1917–1982) Ad Infinitum....................Carla Bley (b. 1936) It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)....................Duke Ellington (1899–1974) Impressions....................John Coltrane (1926–1967)

SSU Latin Band Pa Gozar...................................Federico Arístides Soto Alejon (Tata Güines) (1930-2008) No Borders...............................Rebeca Mauleón (b. 1962) Black Orchid.............................Cal Tjader...View Event Details

Friday, March 3, 2023

SSU Jazz Orchestra performing on Weill Hall Stage

Jazz Orchestra: Swing Into Spring with special guests: Analy High School Jazz Band

Weill Hall

Swing into Spring with the 24-piece SSU Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Doug Leibinger, and special guests the Analy High School Jazz Band, directed by Casey Jones. Bring your dancing shoes for this evening of great big band music!View Event Details

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Jeanne Geiger Headshot holding trombone

Jazz Orchestra featuring guest artist Jeanne Geiger, trombone

Weill Hall

Join us in the incredible Weill Hall for an eclectic evening of jazz featuring guest trombonist Jeanne Geiger! Jeanne is a veteran performer and composer that has played with Sheila E, Deltron 3030, Green Day, Tommy Igoe, and many more. She will perform with the SSU Jazz Orchestra directed by Doug Leibinger. The SSU Groove Ensemble will open the show.

Jeanne Geiger Bio

Jazz Orchestra Digital Program View Event Details

Monday, May 15, 2023

jazz combos playing on stage

Concert Jazz Ensemble & Latin Jazz Ensemble

Schroeder Hall

Join the SSU Latin Jazz Ensemble, Kendrick Freeman, director and the SSU Concert Jazz Ensemble, Ian Carey, director.

The program will include music by Ivan Lins, Rebeca Mauleon, Andy Narell and others, including a new piece by SSU's own Hector Altamirano. SSU Concert Jazz & Latin Jazz Ensembles Digital Program View Event Details