Festival Jazz Orchestra

Some of the biggest names in jazz to come through IU’s Jacob’s School of Music will gather Monday night to perform in the third annual Festival Jazz Orchestra.

Festival Jazz Orchestra Director and Department of Jazz Studies Chair David Baker said this year’s performance will feature original music from some of the school’s most successful graduates.

“We’re really excited about this show because it’s different,” Baker said. “We’ve got an excellent group who have written really good music for the Bloomington community.”

The program will include “The Trouble with Triplets” by Mark Buselli, director of jazz ensembles at Ball State University. 

IU Jacobs School of Music Department of Percussion Chair and festival jazz drummer Steve Houghton said the show highlights the talents of the band’s individual members as well as brings them together to create a sound unlike what most Bloomington residents have heard before.

“There’s always an air of excitement to it because you don’t really know what to expect until the show,” Houghton said.

Bassist Jeremy Allen said he hopes the Festival Jazz Orchestra is a tradition that will carry on over the years, showcasing the best of IU’s jazz program.

“This was a big step to put together this jazz ensemble,” Allen said. “It’s a way to keep in contact and remind ourselves and everyone how great the program at IU is.”

The Festival Jazz Orchestra begins at 8 p.m. Monday in the Musical Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased in person from the Musical Arts Center Box Office an hour before the show, online at www.music.indiana.edu/summer or from Ticketmaster at 812-333-9955.