University Jazz Bands
University Jazz Bandconcerts 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.
Jazz Night Concert
Saturday, May 19
8 p.m., Cohan Center
Composer and trombonist Adam Theis, the leader of the Jazz Mafia musicians' collective of San Francisco, will perform during Cal Poly Jazz Night.
Theis will play trombone with the University Jazz Band No. 1 in a set of his compositions for hip-hop big band. The University Jazz Band No. 2 and two jazz combos will also perform.
The University Jazz Bands are directed by music Professor Paul Rinzler.
Theis, who has specialized in incorporating hip hop and rap into his jazz big band, was awarded the prestigious Gerbode-Hewlett Foundation “Emerging Composers” Grant. The award commissioned a one-hour composition by Theis featuring 50 Jazz Mafia musicians at the Palace of Fine Arts as part of the the San Francisco Jazz Festival in 2009.
Theis founded the Jazz Mafia, which consists of the big band Realistic Orchestra, the Shotgun Wedding Quintet, the Shotgun Wedding Hip-Hop Symphony, Supertaster, Joe Bagale’s Dirty Workshop, and Spaceheater, among other groups.
Theis has performed with numerous Bay Area musicians and national acts including Carlos Santana, Bobby McFerrin, KRS-One, Booker T. Jones, Benny Maupin and Lavay Smith.
Tickets ($12 & $15 general, $10 & $13 seniors and Jazz Federation members, $6 & $10 students)
