EOU Jazz Ensemble

Photo by Anthony Tovar

The EOU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Matt Cooper, is a large jazz combo of EOU students which is open to students on any instrument, including voice. The ensemble focuses on standard jazz repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on post-bop modern jazz. The ensemble performs at least one concert per term, and also participates frequently in jazz festivals such as the Lionel Hampton Festival, EWU Jazz Dialogue Festival, and Whitman College Jazz Festival.  In addition, the ensemble invites regional and national jazz artists to campus for clinic and/or concerts.

Guest artists who have presented clinics and/or performed in concert at EOU include:

Paul Anastasio	Tom Bergeron	David Berkman	Doug Bristol
Dave Captein	Jay Clayton	Charles Crosman	Matthew Friese
David Friesen	Dave Glenn	Keith Hall	Andrew Hill
Alan Jones	Nancy King	Uwe Kropinski	Art Lande
Don Latarski and Rue de Blues	Glen Moore	Phil Palombi	Dave Pietro
Rob Scheps	Dave Scott	Jeff Sizer	Curtis Stigers
John StowellMalcolm Lynn Baker	Benji Tomassetti	Gary Versace	David Haney

EOU Jazz Ensemble alums have been accepted to masters programs and awarded teaching assistantships in Jazz Studies at major universities, played jazz professionally in nightclubs and on cruise ships worldwide, and taught music privately or through Community Schools or university music programs. In 1995, pianist Tim Moses won both the Outstanding College Pianist and Outstanding College Instrumentalist awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and several other students have been awarded Outstanding Soloist certificates.

Photo by Anthony Tovar