Jazz Ensemble

The Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble has performed throughout the East Coast and Europe and is in great demand as a feature band in Jazz Festivals around the globe. Invited to the world-renowned Montreux Jazz festival in 2003, The Jazz Ensemble played throughout Switzerland and Italy on a 9-day concert tour. In 1999, the band took their Ellington Tour to England and France . In the US they have been featured at the Longwood, the Blue Ridge, and The East Coast Jazz Festivals, as well as regional festivals throughout Virgina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey, Each year, the group tours domestically will be on the road in March 2006.Upon their return, the band will host the West Virginia Regional Jazz Festival at Shepherd on March 3 and 4.

The Jazz Program at Shepherd has an outstanding faculty including David Marsh, Cam Millar, Ronnie Shaw, Mark McCoy and Mark Cook. Each year the group works with a major jazz performer in clinics and/or concerts. The group has worked with Kenney Werner, Bill Watrous, Paquito D'Rivera, Alan Vizzutti, Ingrid Jensen. Claudio Roditi and Tim Hagans. This year’s special guest is vocalist Juanita Williams.

All concerts are open to the public and high school students may always receive complimentary tickets by contacting the department or director. The ensemble performs a wide range of jazz styles from the early swing of Ellington, Basie and Miller to funk and fusion and even avant-garde works. The group often features a vocal soloist or local guest artists. Students rehearse twice a week (T-TH, 11-12:15) as a group and have individual sectionals as well.

For more info, contact:
Dr. Mark Cook
Director of Jazz Studies
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
304.876.5115
mcook@shepherd.edu