Jazz Ensemble - Spring 2026

Saxophones:

• Benji Loeffler, lead alto
• Luke Lerner, alto/sop
• Elise Donley, alto
• David Barredo, tenor/sop
• Stuart Murphy, tenor
• Sean Wyatt, bari/BC

Trumpets:

• Jamie Johnson, lead
• Ryan Johnson
• Liam Meadows
• Chris Atkinson

Trombones:

• Levi Markle, lead
• Teague Jenkins
• Ben Ellwood
• Lyra Ward
• Gavin Ray Torrence, bass

Rhythm Section:

• Taylor Treece, piano
• Ryan Leith, piano
• Aaron Myran, guitar
• Jacob Minks, bass
• Braden Watts, drums
• Grayson Creekmore, drums/vibes

Jazz Band - Spring 2026

Voice:

• Ginny Bruno

Woodwinds:

• Preston Davis, clarinet
• Valerie Alvarado, clarinet
• John Rosario Cruz, lead alto sax
• Logan Garrison, alto sax
• Connor Dunford, alto sax
• Josh Wiseman, tenor sax
• Parker Giles, tenor sax
• Zion Ortiz, tenor sax
• Spencer Hoisington, bari sax

Trumpets:

• Ayden Suber, lead
• Noah Shea
• Devin Hubbard
• Gogo Keegan
• Will Peters
• Wrenn Hadden

Trombones:

• Eli Marshall, lead
• Adrianna Dryden
• Jackson Frease
• Thomas Murphy
• Mick Carter
• Liam Carlson
• Orion Guerra
• Blake Downs, bass

Rhythm Section:

• Luke Jacobson, piano
• Julien Euvrard, piano
• Danny Inal, bass
• Kiki Protopsaltis, bass
• Kaleb Ellett, drums
• Wright Stokes, drums/vibes

Jazz Chamber Ensemble (Combo) Auditions for Spring 2026 will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 in the Music Building Room 108, 7:00pm-8:00pm.

Audition Piece: Centerpiece (blues in concert Ab)

All students interested in playing in a combo this semester must audition in person.

Combos perform at Clementine Café 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.

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

Audition Registration Information:

• You MUST register BEFORE the auditions begin using this registration link.
• You will need access to your class schedule when you fill out the registration form. You will be indicating the meeting time and name of each class you have during the week (M-F). This information will be used to determine each combo's faculty coaching day/time.

Audition Process:

• Auditions are in the Music Building Room 108 from 7:00pm-8:00pm on Thursday, January 22.
• You must be registered to audition (see registration link above). Sign the audition roster when you arrive (we use this to call you to the front of 108 to audition).
• Have your instrument assembled and ready to play by 7:00pm.
  • Guitar/bass amps provided; bring your own cable.
  • Drum set provided (bring sticks; use the cymbals already set up).
  • Vocal amp and mic provided (bring your own mic if you prefer).
• 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. No sheet music/phones will be allowed for the audition. Here's a link to the Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross 1959 recording of Centerpiece.
• Here is a link to the Centerpiece backing track (blues in Ab backing track).
• 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). 
• JMU Jazz Faculty will assign students to combos; results will be communicated via email by Monday, January 26. 

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.

Meeting Times:

Tu/Th - 3:55-5:10pm

Forbes 1115

Jazz Band Spring Concert Dates*:

• February 16 (with JMU Jazz Ensemble), 7:30pm; Forbes Concert Hall
• April 22, 7:30pm; 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.

Meeting Times: 

Monday - 5:20-6:10pm, Music Building 108

Tuesday/Thursday - 3:55-5:10pm, Music Building 108

Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert Dates*:

• February 16 (with JMU Jazz Band), 7:30pm; Forbes Concert Hall
• April 21, 7:30pm; Forbes Concert Hall

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