Performances + Events
Jazz
Panel Discussion: Gunther Schuller and Jazz
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Join us for a discussion with Carl Atkins, Fred Hersch, George Schuller, and Ken Schaphorst about the creation of the first fully accredited jazz studies program in a conservatory at NEC in 1969, along with a reflection on Schuller’s personal involvement in jazz as a conductor, composer, and performer. ...
Composer Celka Ojakangas Discussion
SB G01
Join us for a conversation with composer Celka Ojakangas, the winner of the Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream Composition Contest. Ojakangas’s music plays with hybridism and recontextualization, intentionally exploring and blurring the boundaries between culturally-defined genres for a resultant fun and eclectic palette of textures, rhythms, and grooves. Themes that will be di...
NEC Festival: Jazz Without Borders – Schuller’s Bold Experiment at NEC
Jordan Hall
The NEC Jazz Orchestra reflects on the Gunther Schuller’s role in creating the first fully accredited jazz studies program in a conservatory, performing Schuller’s Jumpin’ in the Future, Ellington’s Reminiscing in Tempo, George Russell’s All About Rosie, and
Piano Master Class: Fred Hersch
Williams Hall
A member of jazz’s piano pantheon, Fred Hersch has been an influential creative force over more than three decades as an improviser, composer, educator, bandleader, collaborator, and recording artist. He has been proclaimed “the most arrestingly innovative pianist in jazz over the last decade” by Vanity Fair and “a living legend” by The New Yorker.&#...
Jazz Small Ensembles: Frank Carlberg and Robert Nieske
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
At the end of each semester, NEC's Jazz ensemble cap off their studies with a performance that showcases the musicianship and growth of our students. Tonight's program highlights ensembles led by legendary jazz artists and educators Frank Carlberg and Robert Nieske. ...
Jazz Small Ensembles: Joe Morris
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
At the end of each semester, Jazz Studies students in small ensembles present concerts that highlight their musicianship, collaboration, and growth. Joe Morris' ensembles focus on the methodologies of free jazz and free improvisation, exploring compositions and ideas inspired by Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton and other innovators. ...
Jazz Ensemble Concert: Non-Majors, Zaleski
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
At the end of each semester, Jazz Studies students in small ensembles present concerts that highlight their musicianship, collaboration, and growth. Mark Tipton's Non-Major Ensemble is made up of students who are not in the Jazz department but share a love for performing and exploring this expressive style of music. The Mark Zaleski ensemble focuses on developing collaboratio...
Jazz Small Ensembles: Dominique Eade
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Jazz Studies at NEC presents an evening featuring ensembles directed by Dominique Eade. Both the Jazz Vocal and Songwriting ensembles emphasize a group sound, providing students the chance to arrange repertoire, workshop original pieces, and explore vocal improvisation. American vocalist, composer and improviser Dominique Eade blends musical virtuosity with a songwriter’s st...
NEC Prep: Youth Jazz Orchestra
Brown Hall
Join us for the Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert! ...
Jazz Small Ensembles: Coleman, Reichman & Webber
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
At the end of each semester, NEC's Jazz ensemble cap off their studies with a performance that showcases the musicianship and growth of our students. Tonight's program highlights ensembles led by Anthony Coleman, Ted Reichman and Anna Webber. Anthony Coleman's Early Jazz Ensemble explores the music of 1923-1935, focusing on the likes of the Oliver Creole Jazz Band, Jelly R...
NEC Jazz Forum with Ambrose Akinmusire
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Join the NEC Jazz Studies department for a special forum featuring acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Ambrose Akinmusire. Known for his originality, emotional depth, and boundary-defying approach to improvisation, Akinmusire has become one of the most vital voices in contemporary jazz. A native of Oakland, California, Akinmusire first gained international attention after winni...
NEC Jazz Composers' Workshop Orchestra
Brown Hall
NEC's Jazz Composers' Workshop Orchestra features the music of NEC students performed by their peers, under the direction of Frank Carlberg. The live stream of this event is available to NEC Community members only. To watch the stream, please click the “Streaming Access” button at the top of the page and enter the NEC Community stream...
Jazz Small Ensembles: Afro-Latin, Brazilian and World Rhythms
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
Tonight's Small Jazz Ensemble concert features world music and its impact on jazz. The Brazilian Ensemble, with direction by Caio Afiune, explores music from the early choros of the 19th century, to the music of Tom Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal andGuinga. Mark Walker’s Afro-Latin Ensemble delves into the use of South American and Caribbean rhythms and the works of high-level jazz com...
Jazz Small Ensembles
Eben Jordan Ensemble Room
At the end of each semester, NEC's Jazz ensemble cap off their studies with a performance that showcases the musicianship and growth of our students. Tonight's program highlights ensembles led by Ted Reichman and Anna Webber. Jorrit Dijkstra’s Jazz Composers ensemble is a workshop-style ensemble where students are invited to write for each other, with attention towards grou...
NEC Prep: Youth Jazz Orchestra
Brown Hall
Join us for the Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert! ...
