Monday Night Jazz Series Archive

Marshall Gilkes, Trombone/Composer
Monday, Nov 18, 2019 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
New York trombonist/composer Marshall Gilkes, widely acknowledged for his virtuosic technique and passionate emotion, will be joined by the acclaimed USF Jazz Ensemble (conducted by Chuck Owen) in a continuation of this year's "Monday Night Jazz Series."

The Music of Art Blakey
Monday, Oct 15, 2019 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
Music of Art Blakey with special guest Jason Tiemann (drums) and the USF Faculty Jazz Ensemble: Jack Wilkins (saxophone), Tom Brantley (trombone), James Suggs (trumpet), Chris Rottmayer (piano), Mark Neuenschwander (bass), LaRue Nickelson (guitar).

Celebrating the music and legacy of Art Blakey, this concert will feature some of the classic music from the rich tradition and vast repertoire of the Jazz Messengers. Music from the classic eras of the 1950's and 1960's along with some selections from later groups as well. A professor at the University of Michigan for the past 20 years, Rowe previously founded the jazz program at Connecticut, where she was the world’s first female chair of a major university jazz department. As the ‘Momentum’ project is on tour, Ellen Rowe and the band mentor young artists and engage with audiences on the message of the music.

The Ellen Rowe Project
Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
Ellen Rowe, jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, brings a multi-disciplinary visit to USF, growing from her new recording "Momentum – Portraits of Women in Motion." The album features an all-female, all-star ensemble, playing Rowe's pieces dedicated to inspirational figures in fields ranging from music to athletics, and social justice to environmental preservation.

Terell Stafford
Monday, Nov. 5, 2018 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
Join us for a concert by Trumpeter Terell Stafford, with the USF Jazz Ensemble I. Stafford has become one of the most prominent and in-demand performers and clinicians in the jazz scene. Legendary pianist, McCoy Tyner, calls him "one of the great players of our time."

Duke's in Town
Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
DUKE’S IN TOWN, featuring JOHN LAMB with the USF Faculty Ensemble. Bassist John Lamb, with a big, soulful sound, perfect time, and a commanding stage presence, is a Bay Area treasure. As Duke Ellington’s bassist, he toured the world and appeared on classic recordings including ‘The Far East Suite.’

Steve Allee, Piano
Monday, Mar. 26, 2018 at 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
Steve Allee, pianist, composer and arranger hails from Indianapolis, Indiana, the hometown of jazz legends Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Slide Hampton and J.J. Johnson. Touring with the Buddy Rich Orchestra at age 19, Steve’s passion for the piano and jazz were evident to the audiences and all who performed with him.

John Beasley
Monday, Feb. 26, 2018 at 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
John Beasley, the Grammy nominated pianist, composer, arranger, who once shared the stage with Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis will conduct the USF Jazz Ensemble as they romp through charts selected from his celebrated "Monkestra" project.

Peter Bernstein, Guitar
Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 at 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
Monday Night Jazz Series featuring special guest Peter Bernstein on guitar with the USF Jazz Faculty Ensemble.

Jack Wilkins Banff Project
Thursday, Mar. 23, 2017 at 7:30pm, USF Concert Hal
Jack Wilkins’ Banff Project is a series of original musical compositions and accompanying visual imagery that draw their creative inspiration from the culture, history and scenery of the Banff area of the Canadian Rockies.

Frank Greene & Danny Gottlieb
Monday, Feb. 27, 2017 at 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
Trumpeter Frank Greene and drummer Danny Gottlieb will showcase their talents in a concert with USF Jazz Ensemble I, under the direction of Chuck Owen.

Eric Alexander, Saxophone
Monday, Jan. 30, 2017 at 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
One of the most in-demand saxophonists in jazz today, Eric has established a high standard for artistic excellence. Come out for
what is sure to be an exciting evening of jazz!

Bobby Floyd
Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Bobby Floyd will bring his swingin’ Hammond B-3 organ and piano playing to USF for the 2016-17 season opener of Monday Night Jazz.

Christine Jensen, Composer/Conductor/Sax
Monday, Nov. 21, 2016 at 7:30pm, USF Concert Hall
With USF Jazz Ensemble 1
Montreal-based saxophonist, composer and conductor Christine Jensen has been described as an original voice on the international jazz scene, and as one of Canada’s most compelling composers by the Globe and Mail.

John Goldsby, Bass
Monday, Mar. 28, 2016 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Bassist John Goldsby and the USF Faculty Jazz Ensemble perform music from Golsby's many recordings along with some unique takes on jazz classics. Goldsby has played bass with the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) Big Band in Cologne, Germany since 1994.

Donny McCaslin, Saxophone/Composer
Monday, Feb. 22, 2016 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
In his first appearance at USF, Donny will be showcased as soloist with the acclaimed USF Jazz Ensemble. Special arrangements of his compositions appearing on his most recent recordings “Fast Future” & “Casting for Gravity” will be featured.

Judy Carmichael, Piano
Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
The USF Monday Night Jazz Series presents Grammy nominated singer/pianist Judy Carmichael and her band January 25 at 7:30 pm in the School of Music Concert Hall.

Mark Taylor, Composer
Mon, Nov 30 at 7:30 pm
Concert Hall Stage

“An Evening of Jazz Classics“ with Special Guest Valerie Gillespie, Saxophone, Clarinet, Vocals, with USF Jazz Ensemble I
Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Join us for a special evening of jazz classics by Miles Davis, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Phil Woods and more! This concert features USF’s own multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Valerie Gillespie performing with the USF Jazz Ensemble I.

“Kickin’ the Big Band!” Guest Artist Drummer Steve Houghton with USF Jazz Ensemble I
Monday, Feb. 23, 2015 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Jazz veteran Steve Houghton brings his exciting brand of drumming to USF for an exciting performance with the USF Jazz Ensemble I. Steve began his illustrious career as the drummer for the Woody Herman Band at age 20 (!) and has performed and recorded with the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Dianne Reeves, Toots Thielemans, Christian McBride and many others.

Rufus Reid, Jazz Composer / Bassist with the USF Jazz Ensemble
Monday, Apr. 20, 2015 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Rufus Reid, long one of the premiere bassists on the international jazz scene, has evolved into one of its most respected composers as well; having written for symphony orchestra, jazz ensembles large and small, concert band, double bass ensemble pieces and a solo bass composition. His most recent, highly feted, work “Quiet Pride” will be performed by Rufus in tandem with the USF Jazz Ensemble. An ambitious five-movement work for big band, it was inspired by the sculptures of the artist, Elizabeth Catlett. Recorded and internationally released by Motema Music in Feb., 2014, it has received performances at the Shaw Center for the Performing Arts, in Baton Rouge, LA with Elizabeth’s gorgeous artwork in residence and later at Lincoln Center in New York.

Gary Smulyan, Baritone Saxophonist with USF Jazz Ensemble I and USF Jazztet
Monday, Sep. 29, 2014 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
The September Monday Night Jazz series concert will feature guest artist Gary Smulyan on the baritone saxophone, the USF Jazz Ensemble I with Chuck Owen directing and the USF Jazztet, returning from their very successful concert tour of United Kingdom Jazz Festivals and jazz clubs.

The Music of Horace Silver
Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
This concert will be a tribute to Horace Silver. Horace Silver was a great composer, pianist and band leader who just passed away this summer. He founded the Jazz Messengers with drummer Art Blakey in the early 1950's and went on to lead his own group for the next 50 years.

Michael Dease
Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Michael Dease will perform with Jazz Ensemble I

Saxophonist Jim Snidero with USF Jazz Faculty
Monday, Feb. 24, 2014 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
New York based saxophonist Jim Snidero brings his exciting performance skills to USF for the February Monday Night Jazz Series concert. Hailed as an “alto sax virtuoso” and “master musician” by Downbeat Magazine, Jim Snidero has been a highly-respected bandleader and recording artist for over a quarter century.

Maria Schneider with the USF Jazz Ensemble I
Monday, Mar. 31, 2014 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Triple 2014 GRAMMY winner Maria Schneider is coming to USF to lead the acclaimed USF Jazz Ensemble in a special concert and audience talk. Schneider is an award-winning composer and conductor in both classical and jazz, whose music has been hailed as “evocative, majestic, magical, and heart-stoppingly gorgeous.” She will conduct a wide variety of her works, and give a talk about her process and her work with US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser.

Blue Train Live!
Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
The USF Jazz Faculty will be recreating John Coltrane's famous "Blue Train" recording for the January 27 USF Monday Night Jazz Series concert. Blue Train, released in 1957 on Blue Note Records, was recorded at the famous Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey, it is Coltrane's second solo album, the only one he recorded for Blue Note as a leader, and the only one he conceived personally for the label.

Gil Evans Centennial Project
Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
Ryan conducts the USF Jazz Ensemble in an evening of the music of Gil Evans including works from this remarkable recording.

Nicole Yarling, Jazz Vocalist/Violinist
Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hal
Nicole Yarling defies description. "Discovered" and mentored by the great Joe Williams, her wide-ranging influences and experiences as a vocalist, violinist, and fiddle-player have resulted in a rich personal style and a very prominent position in the South Florida music scene where she has created a buzz in everything from jazz and R&B to experimental music.

USF Jazz Ensemble I with Tom Brantley, Trombone: USF Jazz Around the World
Monday, Sept. 30, 2013 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hal
The Brass Herald calls USF Professor of Trombone, Tom Brantley, “. . .a musician who transcends technique and the practical considerations that most mortals have to deal with.” Feeling as comfortable fronting a big band as performing a concerto with an orchestra, Brantley has delighted audiences throughout the world as featured guest soloist, a long-time member of the eclectic chamber group Rhythm and Brass (their CD, “Ellington Explorations”, named a NY Times album of the week) as well as his own Confluences, and, most recently, through his critically-acclaimed solo CD project, “Boneyard."

Jamey Aebersold, saxophone
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 at 7:30 pm, USF Concert Hall
The world's leading Jazz educator and extraordinary saxophonist Jamey Aebersold will be on campus to perform at the January 28, USF Monday Night Jazz Series concert. Jamey will perform jazz classics with the USF Jazz Faculty Ensemble.

He will also be giving a workshop on Jazz Improvisation to USF School of Music students.