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Featuring John Clayton, bass

EASTMAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Christine Jensen, director

The Eastman Jazz Ensemble has been recognized as one of the world’s premier collegiate jazz performing organizations for three decades. Years before Eastman alumnus Chuck Mangione became the ensemble’s first faculty director, the band was established and governed by Eastman student musicians. In 1970, former Radio City Music Hall musical director Rayburn Wright was hired to develop the Eastman jazz studies and contemporary media program and in 1972 he succeeded Mangione as director of the Jazz Ensemble. Bill Dobbins, who led the group from 1989 to 1994, returned to the position in 2002 after an eight-year tenure as principal director of the WDR Radio Big Band in Cologne, Germany. Fred Sturm served as director from 1995 to 2002. Christine Jensen took over direction in 2022 after Dobbins retirement.

EASTMAN NEW JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Dave Rivello, director

The Eastman New Jazz Ensemble was established to showcase the finest contemporary music from around the world written for jazz ensemble. Performing repertoire primarily from the last 20 years, the New Jazz Ensemble plays music not often heard or yet recorded, and frequently premieres new works, including those of student writers. In 2009 this ensemble was the Downbeat Student Music Award winner for Best College Big Band.

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester 14604

The Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation was established in 2015 to honor the renowned Grammy-winning trombonist and arranger Ray Conniff. The foundation furthers Conniff’s legacy by supporting future generations of musicians through scholarships and financial support.