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The EIU Jazz Ensemble is directed by Sam Fagaly . The group has received numerous awards including Outstanding Ensemble and Solo Performance citations at the Notre Dame, and Elmhurst Jazz Festivals and Downbeat magazine's prestigious "DB" award signifying the group as the nation's best college big band. The band released its first CD, "Eastern Time Zone" in 1994. Their latest recording "In The Pocket" is currently available. The group has performed with legendary jazz artists such as Mel Torme, Dizzy Gillespie, Diane Schuur and Joe Williams.
EIU Jazz Combo Program is coordinated by Paul Johnston . Three to four combos are instructed by faculty and meet twice each week. Each group performs at least two concerts per semester and the top combo usually has additional off-campus performances. This organized and faculty supervised combo program is one of strengths of Jazz Studies at EIU. Repertoire includes the music of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Charlie Parker, along with the standards of Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, George Gershwin, and others. The emphasis is on improvisation and the application of material presented in the four levels of improvisation classes available to all students.
The EIU Jazz Lab Band , directed by Paul Johnston , performs a minimum of two concerts per academic year. The group provides an opportunity for more students to gain experience with big band repertoire. Fundamentals of stylistic interpretation, articulation, and improvisation are emphasized. |
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