JMU Jazz Ensemble Fall 2026

Chuck Dotas, Director

Woodwinds

Preston Davis, clarinet (as needed)

Benji Loeffler, alto sax (split lead)

Greg Kulp, alto/sop sax (split lead)

David Barredo, tenor/sop sax 1

Stuart Murphy, tenor sax 2

Joshua Wiseman, tenor sax 2

Sean Wyatt, bari sax/BC

Trumpets

Jamie Johnson (split lead)

Josh Mobley (split lead)

Chris Atkinson

Liam Meadows

Brady Knepper

Trombones

Levi Markle (lead)

Ben Ellwood

Eli Marshall

Gavin Ray Torrence (bass)

Rhythm Section

Taylor Treece, piano

Ryan Leith, piano

Aaron Myran, guitar

Andrew Grogan, bass

Aiden Williams, bass

Braden Watts, drums

JMU Jazz Band Fall 2026

Toby Whitaker, Director

Voice

Christian Wilson (as needed)

Woodwinds

Preston Davis, clarinet

Valerie Alvarado, clarinet

John Rosario Cruz, alto sax (alphabetical order)

Logan Garrison, alto sax (alphabetical order)

Dustin Lightfoot, alto sax (alphabetical order)

Ion Robinson, tenor sax 1

Evan Connelly, tenor sax 2

Aiden Hall, bari sax

Trumpet

Taylor Lowry (split lead)

Micah Wingfield (split lead)

Noah Shea

Baxter Kauffman

Charlotte Connolly

Trombones (alphabetical order)

Mick Carter

Jackson Frease

Will Ragno

Henry Taylor

Rhythm Section

Luke Jacobson, piano

Julien Euvrard, piano

Zion Ortiz, bass

Grey Sheridan, bass

Drumset callbacks (Th 8/27 reh):

Kaleb Ellett

Isaac Jennings

Wright Stokes

Auditions will take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, 7:00-8:30pm in Music Building Room 108. All students interested in playing in a combo this semester must audition in person. 

Combos perform at Clementine Thursday nights between 7:00-9:00pm. You must be available, in general, at this time (occasional conflicts with performances by other JMU ensembles are okay). If you have an ongoing Thursday evening schedule conflict, you cannot participate in combos. 

NOTE: Do not register for the class (MUAP 355) until rosters have been posted.

Audition Registration

• You must register before the auditions begin, using this link.
• You will need access to your class schedule when you fill out the registration form. Indicate the meeting time and name of each class (NOT the course number only) you have during the week (M-F).
• For multiple classes on the same day: Hit "return" after each class (do not write them all in one long line of text).
• This information will be used to determine each combo's faculty coaching day/time.

Audition Process

Thursday, August 27, 2026, Music Building Room 108, 7:00-8:30pm

1. You must be registered to audition—see "Audition Registration" above.
2. Sign the audition roster when you arrive (we use this to call you to the front of 108 to audition).
3. Have your instrument assembled and ready to play by 7:00pm.
   1. Guitar/bass amps provided; bring your own cable.
   2. Drum set provided (bring sticks; use the cymbals already set up).
   3. Vocal amp & mic provided (bring your own mic if you prefer).
4. Students will be called up from the audience in random small groups (complete combos). The group will play the head for, and improvise/comp on, Centerpiece by Harry Edison and Jon Hendricks, in concert Ab. No sheet music/phones will be allowed for the audition.
   1. Here is a link to the Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross 1959 recording. 
   2. Here is a link to the Centerpiece backing track (blues in Ab backing track).
5. If the audition ensemble includes a vocalist, that person will sing the first chorus lyrics the first time through the tune (see below for first chorus lyrics); all instrumentalists will play the head together the second time through (vocalists will scat sing the melody along with the horns). Each student will perform two choruses of improvisation (drummers: two choruses of trading 4's with the horns). Out head: one chorus only, all horns playing the head (vocalists scat sing along with horns).
6. JMU Jazz Faculty will assign students to combos; results will be communicated via email early in the week of August 31.

Centerpiece lyrics (first chorus only):

The more I'm with you pretty baby, the more I feel my love increase.

I'm buildin' all my dreams around you, my happiness will never cease,

'cause nothing's any good without you. And baby you're my centerpiece.

Jazz Chamber Ensemble (MUAP 355): Membership is open to all JMU students by audition. Ensembles are student-run with weekly faculty coaching. Repertoire includes all styles of small-group jazz with an emphasis on creative improvisation. Performances are held at various local establishments.

Meeting Times:

TBD upon combo placement and availability

Jazz Combo Spring Performance Dates:

Thursdays, 7pm @ Clementine Cafe

Jazz Band (MUAP 348): The JMU Jazz Band, founded in 1979, is a select group of approximately 20 students per semester. Membership, determined by audition at the beginning of each semester, is open to all JMU students and typically includes students from majors across campus. Students study repertoire that includes all major styles of big band jazz, as well as student arrangements and compositions. The ensemble has performed with a variety of well-known jazz artists. Recent guests include NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan, Joe Sullivan, Mike Titlebaum, Jim White, and Steve Wilson. For additional information, please contact Dr. Dotas at dotascj@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Tuesday/Thursday, 3:55-5:10pm

Forbes 1115

Jazz Band Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 1, 7:30pm with Jazz Ensemble | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 7, 7:30pm with Jazz Ensemble | Forbes Concert Hall

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.

Jazz Ensemble (MUAP 347): Membership is open to all JMU students by audition. The James Madison University Jazz Ensemble was founded in 1971 and is the premier jazz group in the School of Music at James Madison University. The ensemble has performed at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, DC, the Montreux International Jazz and Blues Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Virginia Music Educator's Association annual convention. The JMU Jazz Ensemble has been featured with the United States Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble, the United States Air Force Airmen of Note Jazz Ensemble, and at the East Coast Jazz Festival in Rockville, Maryland.

The ensemble has performed with many well-known jazz artists, including Dick Oatts, John Clayton, Greg Gisbert, Nate Smith, Shelia Jordan, Mike Holober, Joseph Eckert, Clay Jenkins, John D’Earth, Chris Merz, Mike Titlebaum, and Jim White. For additional information, please contact Dr. Dotas at dotascj@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times: 

Monday - 5:20-6:10pm

Tuesday/Thursday - 3:55-5:10pm

Music Building Room 108

Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 1, 7:30pm with Jazz Band | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 7, 7:30pm with Jazz Band | Forbes Concert Hall

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.