Jazz at Southeast Missouri State University has been active for more than 20 years and consists of both big-band and combo-performance opportunities. Classes also are available in jazz improvisation as well as independent study in jazz theory and history. Southeast has two jazz ensembles, which include both music majors and non-majors. Auditions for membership in Southeast jazz ensembles take place during the first week of classes in the fall semester.
For our 2011-2012 season, we invite you to join our Jazz Series, featuring three great concerts at the fabulous Bedell Performance Hall.
Thursday, October 27, 2011 “Basically Blues”
Southeast’s two outstanding big bands will present a fabulous array of music by American jazz composers from the early days of big band music to the present. We will feature selections which focus on the blues, an American invention. Our outstanding student soloists will be highlighted in a program of bluesy jazz favorites! Come on out and enjoy a wonderful evening of exciting jazz and blues in the tremendous venue of Bedell Performance Hall.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Clark Terry/Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival Gala Concert Allen Beeson, trumpet soloist
Join Southeast’s Studio Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band for our annual Clark Terry/Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival Gala Concert in Bedell Performance Hall. Prepare for an evening of exciting jazz as the great trumpeter Allen Beeson will join our students in this highly anticipated jazz performance. As a jazz musician Mr. Beeson has performed with jazz artists Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Bellson, Conte Condoli, Gary Foster, Bobby Shew, John Faddis, Marvin Stamm, Conrad Herwig, Bill Watrous and John Fedchock, to name a few. As a Yamaha Performing Artist, Mr. Beeson uses Yamaha Trumpets and Flugelhorns exclusively.
Thursday, April 19, 2012,
Spring Jazz Concert “Hooked on Jazz"
For our final concert of the year, our bands will display their amazing talents for your listening enjoyment. Southeast’s two superb big bands will present a concert of jazz which cover a wide variety of styles. Be prepared to feel the power of the music as our gifted musicians show their skills. This will be a concert you will not want to miss!
Call the Southeast Box Office (651-2265) for more information!
The Jazz Program at Southeast
The Southeast jazz program is under the direction of Robert Conger, whose past experience includes membership in the famed One O’ Clock band at North Texas State University. Our two big bands, Studio Jazz and Jazz Lab, perform a wide array of contemporary and standard big-band literature in a variety of styles. The combos and big bands perform on and off campus three to four times per semester. Our students have performed with guest artists such as Tony Baker, Clark Terry, Mike Metheny, Joe Eckert, Jim Manley, Allen Beeson, Jim Pisano, Daniel Jordan, Pat Schwent, Rodney Lancaster, Mark Zauss, Clint Ashlock, Carol Comer, Arch Martin, Wayne Goins and Jim Widner.
The bands perform at various University events such as the popular ‘Clark Terry / Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival’ presented each February as well at least twice per semester at the Buckner Brewing Company, a very intimate downtown pub in Cape Girardeau. Our Studio Jazz Ensemble recently traveled to Scotland during August of 2008 to participate in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival.
We have two big bands, Studio Jazz and the Jazz Lab Band. Students who are interested in auditioning for Studio Jazz should have prior experience in a jazz program, woodwind doubling skills (saxes only) and solo experience. The Jazz Lab Band is open to all students (no audition required) with an interest in improving their skills in big band jazz and improvisation. Improvisation skills are developed in this ensemble, although they are not required as a pre-requisite. Jazz Combos are groups of jazz student musicians committed to the performance of small-group jazz improvisation. These groups perform at various University and community social events throughout the academic year.
Contact Information
Dr. Robert B. Conger
Jazz Studies Director
Phone: (573) 651-2398
Fax: (573) 651-2431
E-mail: rconger@semo.edu