RIT Jazz Ensemble | Performing Arts

This ensemble consists of trumpets, trombones, saxes, piano, drums, bass, and guitar. The repertoire typically includes traditional big band music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Woody Herman, as well as contemporary music of such groups as Spyro Gyra. Music by local composers, such as Matt Harris, are also performed.

Performances

Performing Arts events at RIT have been canceled or postponed while campus is closed due to COVID-19. To give you an idea of the types of events that RIT generally hosts, please visit our Events page for a small sample of previously-scheduled performances.

Fall 2021 Audition Information

If you play an instrument and are interested in being a part of a jazz ensemble at RIT we are hard at work planning an exciting semester! RIT currently has four different jazz ensembles with rehearsals taking place on various week nights that allow flexible scheduling.
 
If you would like to be part of a jazz ensemble please email Professor Karl Stabnau with your schedule and availability so you can be assigned an audition time and sent further instructions.

Please feel free to email with any other questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you this semester!

Recently Performed Repertoire

Jump Jive and Wail - Louis Prima
David Berger - Business As Usual
Carvan - Ellington, Mills and Tizol
Flip Top - Mike Barone
Donna Lee - Parker and Davis
Birdland - Josef Zawinul
That Warm Feeling - Sammy Nestico
Honk - Jeff Jarvis

Rehearsals

Jazz Ensemble: 5-6:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, SAU A130

Jazz Lab Ensemble: 6:30-10:10 p.m. Wednesdays, SAU A130

Credit

Students can register for this 1 credit course.

FNRT-254

RIT Jazz Ensemble

Credits 1

Preparing for and performing concerts of jazz repertoire offers students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of and appreciation for music, and its role in society, through the careful analysis of musical forms and ideas, and the comparison of exemplary works from a variety of times, places and social/cultural necessities. The RIT Jazz Ensemble performs three major concerts a year of standard repertoire from the early 20th century to the present. Students from the RIT Jazz Ensemble also have the opportunity to play in a variety of informal performances both on and off campus. Auditions will be held to assess proper placement. Contact instructor for more information.

Ensemble Images

Contact

Karl Stabnau

Visiting Lecturer

Director of Jazz Ensembles

Department of Performing Arts

College of Liberal Arts

kjsgsl@rit.edu