The Texas Southern University Jazz Ensembles are composed of advanced woodwind, brass, keys, and guitar players who share a common interest in performing jazz. Composed of mostly music majors, this ensemble strives to develop music skills and techniques that are important to the developing musician in jazz.
Renowned for its hard-hitting sound with both feet planted in tradition and eyes fixed on the future, the Jazz Ensemble is an award-winning ensemble and was commissioned as the official Jazz Band for the state of Texas. The ensemble has been a featured ensemble at the Jazz Education Network National Conference, Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the Essentially Ellington Regional Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, California State University Monterey Bay, and many other public concerts and private events.
The TSU Jazz Ensembles embody a rich history of many notable performers. Some of the well-known artists that have passed through its ranks include Kirk Whalum, Frank Lacy, Andre Hayward, Barry Lee Hall, and Shelly Carrol, to name a few. Some of our more recent graduates include rising stars within the industry including Melvin Johnson, Raul Blanco, Eddie Moore, Timothy Lea, and many others.
