USU Jazz Orchestra

 

 

 

The Jazz Orchestra is the premier jazz ensemble at Utah State University and is directed by Jon Gudmundson, head of the jazz studies program. It is made up of five saxophones (alto, tenor, and baritone), five trumpets, four trombones, piano, guitar, bass, and drums, who meet three times a week at 12:30 and perform selections from big band and contemporary jazz music. Auditions for the entire year are held the first week of school in the fall, but it is possible to challenge current members and replace them. The audition is based solely on ability to sightread a piece of big band music, and those interested in soloing will be asked to improv. Jazz Orchestra plays four times a year at USU, in addition to occasional performances at festivals and high schools. Its 2007-2008 members include:

 

Saxophones:

 

Alto I: Nathan Mensink

Alto II: Bretton Gines

Tenor I/II: Whitney Ecker

Tenor II/I: Connor Robison

Baritone: Brandon Cressall

 

Trumpets:

 

Jared Nicholsen

Chad Cummings

Kolby Hales

Alma Gomez

Allison Crane & Erik Horne

 

Trombones:

 

Tom Call

Spencer Jackson

Spencer Jensen

Jay Nygaard

Thomas Broschinsky

 

Rhythm:

Piano: Liz Wooley

Guitar: Michael Frew

Bass: Ryan Heidt

Drums: Landon Putnam

Aux Perc: Scott Allred