The Oklahoma State University Jazz Orchestra has been invited to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference for the fourth time. The jazz orchestra ensemble has been invited every year they’ve been eligible since 2020.

The conference, which will take place this January in Louisville, Kentucky, is a gathering of jazz performers, students and educators. It is an opportunity to network and perform with the world’s greatest musicians who are experts in the quintessential American musical art form.

“Being on a national stage is such an honor,” said Nathan Contreras, trumpet player and jazz performance major. “I'm excited for people to hear what we're doing in Stillwater.”

Only four to five university big bands are chosen to perform on the main stage at the conference. The selection process is competitive, blind and peer-reviewed.

Recording the audition tape was a meticulous but rewarding testament to the ensemble’s work ethic.

“When you record, it brings out all the beauty in your playing, but it also brings out all the errors,” said Dr. Tommy Poole, director of jazz studies and professor of music at OSU. “The students have to bring their highest level to the recording process.”

Performing at the JEN Conference provides the OSU Jazz Orchestra the opportunity to perform for an international audience of jazz aficionados.

“Jazz Orchestra has a lot of freshmen right now,” said Avery Johnson, double bass player from Coweta, Oklahoma. “I'm very excited for them to get to go to the conference because they're going to get to encounter a lot of really, really great musicians and great pedagogy.”

For the January performance, the ensemble plans to play music arranged specifically for them by Australian jazz big band composer Aaron Spiers. They will be joined by  Chicago-based guitarist Kenny Reichert, who is fresh off his fourth CD release as leader, “Live in Chicago.”

This prestigious invitation is just another feather in the cap for the OSU Jazz Orchestra.

Its most recent album, “Angular Tuesday,” was recently selected by jazz reviewer Jack Bowers in “Jack Bowers’ Best jazz albums of 2024.” Bowers writes for All About Jazz, which is the largest jazz album-reviewing entity in the world. This accomplishment places the ensemble among other highly respected professional jazz ensembles.

“I really do think that OSU's Jazz Orchestra is one of the best in the country,” lead trumpeter Jesus Escobar said. “A lot of our players have gigged outside and have experience with professionals. It's the work ethic that we have. We know what we're doing, we know what we want to do and why we want to do it.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Story By: Adrienne Frye | adrienne.frye@okstate.edu