University Jazz Bands
University Jazz Band concerts feature everything from authentic performances of traditional jazz standards to cutting-edge repertoire of world music, hip-hop and more.
From the big band “wall of sound” to spontaneous interplay in jazz combos, the Cal Poly Jazz Bands respect the tradition while expanding its boundaries.
Cal Poly Open House Concert
Friday, April 19, 2013
8 p.m. Harman Hall, Performing Arts Center
After an exciting day at Cal Poly’s Open House, come and enjoy an evening of live entertainment by three of the Music Department’s finest instrumental ensembles:
- University Jazz Band
- Symphony
- Wind Ensemble
Tickets ($14 and $12 general, $12 and $9 seniors and students)
Jazz Night Concert
Friday, May 31, 2013
8 p.m. Harman Hall, Performing Arts Center
Mike Vax will be the special guest artist for Jazz Night 2013!
Mike Vax is an international artist for the Getzen Musical Instrument Company and a recording artist with Summit Records.
He performs exclusively on Getzen trumpets, cornets and flugelhorns. He has played lead and solo trumpet with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Clark Terry Big Bad Band, and the U. S. Navy Show Band.
Vax has also performed and/or recorded with musical greats Art Pepper, Gene Krupa, Cab Calloway, Al Grey, Freddy Hubbard, John Handy, Don Ellis, Don Jacoby, Louie Bellson, Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, June Christy, Barbara McNair, the Four Freshmen, the Navy Commodores, the Army Blues, the Army Jazz Ambassadors, the Air Force Falconaires, the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band, the Dukes of Dixieland in New Orleans, and the Glenn Miller, Harry James, and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras.
As a recording musician, he has performed on more than 75 albums, including 20 under his own name.
He has appeared as guest lead trumpet and soloist with symphony pops orchestras around the U. S., and Europe, as well as with the All-American Collegiate Orchestra at Disneyworld. He has toured extensively in Europe, Japan, Scandinavia and South America.
He is the founder and chairman of the Board of Friends of Big Band Jazz. The foundation has funded music scholarships and school jazz programs and has helped musicians in need. It also donated funds to Habitat for Humanity for the the Musicians Village in New Orleans.
Currently Vax is leading his own groups, which include the Stan Kenton Alumni Band, the Mike Vax Big Band, the Swing Shift Big Band, TRPTS (Trumpets), the Great American Jazz Band, and the Mike Vax Quartet, Quintet and Sextet.
Over the past 40 years, he has given workshops and performed in concerts in more 2,500 high schools, colleges and universities worldwide. He is active as a clinician and soloist in both the classical and jazz idioms.
Tickets ($14 and $12 general, $12 and $9 seniors, students and Jazz Federation members)