Oregon Jazz Ensemble

The Oregon Jazz Ensemble (OJE) is the premier large jazz ensemble at the University of Oregon. Under the direction of Steve Owen, the Oregon Jazz Ensemble and its students have garnered 15 Downbeat Magazine awards including a 2016 Graduate College Ensemble Outstanding Performance Award.  Additionally, the OJE has been selected the Reno Jazz Festival College Jazz Ensemble Winner each year that they have participated over the past sixteen years (including 22 festival-wide individual performance awards).   As of late, OJE students have competed in six national/international jazz competitions taking 1st prize in: the 2013 Women’s Jazz Orchestra Composition Competition, 2014 National Trumpet Competition, the 2015 International Trombone Association Carl Fontana Competition, and the 2017 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Solo Competition.

Recognized throughout the nation and internationally for its excellence in interpretation and performance of the wide variety of styles of music associated with the jazz genre, the OJE regularly performs new literature for jazz ensemble including works by internationally renowned composers/arrangers as well as students of the UO jazz program.  In addition to concerts on campus, this ensemble has performed at every major jazz festival and educational convention in the Pacific Northwest, including the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference, Oregon Music Educators Conference, the Northwest MENC Conference, Western International Band Conference, Kent-Meridian Jazz Festival, Reno Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and the Seattle Jazz Experience.  In 2014, this group toured Europe with featured performances at four of the continent’s most prestigious music festivals and returned in the summer of 2018 to perform in Brienz and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; at the Vienne Jazz Festival in Vienne, France; and in Turin and Siena as well as the Umbria and La Spezia Jazz Festivals in Italy.

Featured with the Oregon Jazz Ensemble in recent years have been a host of jazz artists including: Ben Wendel, Kendrick Scott, Julian Lage, Marshall Gilkes, Nate Wood, Seamus Blake, Ingrid Jensen, John Hollenbeck, Theo Bleckman, Don Braden, James Moody, Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, Ron Miles, Dick Oatts, Jon Faddis, Rufus Reid, Billy Pierce, Conrad Herwig, Jim Snidero, David Scott, Maria Schneider, Paul Mazzio, David Pietro, Bobby Shew, Luis Bonilla, Shane Endsley, and Kaveh Rastegar.

Interested in auditioning for this group or for one of the other UO jazz ensembles? Click here

Steve Owen, director (composer, conductor, saxophonist) is a Philip H. Knight Professor of Music and director of the University of Oregon’s award-winning Jazz Studies Program.  A respected educator, Owen has presented clinics at MENC conventions across the nation and has directed All-State jazz ensembles in Colorado, Connecticut, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, California, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and Minnesota as well as Oregon.  Steve is also a founder and co-director of the Oregon Jazz Festival, an annual workshop for college, junior high, and high school jazz ensembles, the University of Oregon Summer Jazz Improvisation Camp, and is on the faculty of the University of Kansas’ jazz camp.  In 1991 Owen was one of two winners of the Ersted Award, the University of Oregon’s top faculty award for distinguished teaching and in 2007 was likewise honored with the university’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

A composer and arranger of national prominence, Owen’s works have been performed by Bobby McFerrin, Dave Weckl, Anne Marie Moss, as well as the nation’s finest college and professional jazz ensembles including the University of Oregon’s Oregon Jazz Ensemble, UNT’s One O’Clock Lab Band, UNC’s :Lab Band I, and the the USAF’s Airmen Of Note.  His compositions have been featured at numerous jazz festivals nationally and internationally including performances from 1986 – 2000 at International Association of Jazz Educators conferences.  Recent commissions have resulted in pieces performed and recorded in Germany by the HR Big Band and in Taiwan by the Taipei Jazz Orchestra as well as at jazz festivals in Colorado, Texas, Oregon, and Washington.  Steve’s own CD, Stand Up Eight, was released by Origin/OA2 Records in 2013 featuring nine of his works for large jazz ensemble.  As a saxophonist, Steve appears regularly as a soloist at high school and college festivals and is featured on two recent big band CDs – Dan Cavanagh’s “Pulse” and the Dan Gailey Jazz Orchestra “What Did You Dream” CD.   Steve’s music is published by UNC Jazz Press and Heritage JazzWorks.

 

OJE Recordings

The Oregon Jazz Ensemble has recorded off and on over the history of its existence.  When space and time permitted, the OJE would slip into a rehearsal room, throw up some makeshift baffles, and using what mics were available record away.  It was with the completion of the UO music building addition in 2010 that dedicated space was built and state of the art recording studio equipment was purchased allowing for this ensemble to record on a yearly basis.

The selections below are a handful of the recordings this band has made over the years showcasing our students creative efforts.  The majority of the pieces were either composed or arranged by students in the University of Oregon Jazz Studies Program for the OJE (indicated with an “*”).  We are grateful for the opportunity to share these performances with you.  We hope you enjoy listening to them as much as we enjoyed recording them.

The 2022 – 23 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Will Glausi, Ryan Helms, Luke Turner, Olivia Fields, Sampson Prentice
Trumpets: Andrew Shoop, Julian Borkowski, Micah Laird, Andrew Pelto
Trombones: Brandon Pressley, Leo McMullen, Dawson Isaacs, Caleb Sampson
Rhythm: Eric Deaton, Robert Bohall, Robert Lassila, Eli Hansen, Nik Barber, Jay Veach

Black Nile….Wayne Shorter | arr. Rob Hudson
.        Eli Hansen, bass
.        Olivia Fields, tenor saxophone
Utviklingssang….Carla Bley | arr. Bob Washut
.        Luke Turner, tenor saxophone
Quietude….Thad Jones
.        Robert Bohall, piano
Blues for Itchy….Dan Gailey
.        Brandon Pressley, trombone
.        Luke Turner, tenor saxophone
.        Nik Barber, tenor saxophone
Uhuru Vibration….Dezron Douglas | arr. Paul Krueger
.        Luke Turner, tenor saxophone
.        Robert Bohall, piano
Out of Reach….Robert Bohall*
.        Robert Bohall, piano
.        Will Glausi, alto saxophone
Rosé….Dezron Douglas | arr. Robert Lassila*
.        Robert Bohall, piano
.        Luke Turner, tenor saxophone
Transit….Darcy James Argue
.        Julian Borkwoski, flugelhorn

The 2021 – 22 Oregon Jazz Ensemble

The 2020 – 21 Oregon Jazz Ensemble

The 2019 – 20 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Will Glausi, Ryan Helms, Ardeshir Pourkeramati, Steffen Land, Dylan Brown
Trumpets: Bailey Tucker, Devin Perez, Riley White, Jessica Farmer, Cameron Roche
Trombone: Paul Lichty, Masaki Kleinkopf, Adriana Wagner, Josh Thomas
Rhythm: Nathan Poehlke, Andrew Silva, Michael Holder, Garrett Baxter, Alexandre Pabst, Austin Hass, Nik Barber

Just Kidding….Elaine Elias | arr. Bob Brookmeyer
.        Andrew Silva, piano
Come Rain or Come Shine…. Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer | arr. Nathan Poehlke*
.        Ardeshir Pourkeramati, tenor sax    Nathan Poehlke, guitar
Ugetsu….Cedar Walton | arr. Trevor Dodd*
.        Devin Perez, trumpet   Will Glausi, alto sax
Beneath the Mask….Bob Washut
.        Will Glausi, alto sax   Nathan Poehlke, guitar

The 2018 -19 Oregon Jazz Ensemble

Saxophones: Dylan Brown, Alexis Rosenberg, Jon Corona, Taylor Lhamon, Richard Krishnan
Trumpets: Bailey Tucker, Devin Perez, Jessica Farmer, Cameron Roche, Riley White
Trombones: Brandon Pressley, Alex Lopez, Seven Converse, Kalin Mark
Rhythm: Robin Fey, Ellie Jakes, Andrew Silva, Garrett Baxter, Cam Whitehead, Austin Hass, Ken Mastrogiovanni

Selections:
Urban Strut….Patty Darling
.        Ellie Jakes, guitar
Vortex….Patty Darling
.        Cameron Roche, trumpet    Jon Corona, tenor sax
Ursa Major….Ellie Jakes*
.        Devin Perez, trumpet

The 2017 -18 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Chris Casaceli, Alexis Rosenberg, Jon Corona, David Richards, Sarah Schultz
Trumpets: Alexis Garnica, Devin Perez, Stephen Grindel, Scott Avzaradel, Luke  Harju
Trombones: Brandon Presley, Alex Lopez, Seven Converse, Kenny Ross
Rhythm Section: Robin Fey, Ellie Jakes, Leo Bae, Alex Parthemer, Garrett Baxter, Cam Whitehead, Ken Mastrogiovanni, Nik Barber

Selections:
Ascension….Ellie Jakes*
.        Jon Corona, tenor sax
I Thought About You….Jimmy Van Heusen/arr. Vern Sielert
.       Cam Whitehead, bass    Chris Casaceli, alto sax
Whirlpool….Florian Ross
.       Jon Corona, tenor sax    Alex Parthemer, piano
Heavenly Bodies….Kurt Rosenwinkle/arr. David Von Kampen
.       Robin Fey, guitar
Seesaw….Bob Brookmeyer
.       Brandon Presley, trombone    Ken Mastrogiovanni, drums
Afro Blue….Mongo Santamaria/arr. Michael Mossman
.       Robin Fey, guitar    Stephen Grindel, trumpet
Out of the Swamp, Into the Sky….Michael Conrad
.       Leo Bae, Piano    Devin Perez, trumpet
Eclipse….Ellie Jakes*
.       Garret Baxter, bass    Ellie Jakes, guitar
Belly Roll….Quincy Jones & Sammy Nestico
.       Jon Corona, tenor sax     Stephen Grindel, trumpet

The 2016 -17 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Josh Hettwer, Lee Burlingame, Jon Corona, Chris Casaceli, Sarah Schultz
Trumpets: Alexis Garnica, Tony Glausi, Stephen Grindel, John Cummings, Luke Harju
Trombones: Matt Hettwer, Sam Dale, Brandon Pressley, Matt Miller, Kenny Ross
Rhythm: Ellie Jakes, Jack Radsliff, Leo Bae, Tim Carrigg, Garrett Baxter, Cam Whitehead, Ken Mastrogiovanni, Kelsey Bleck

Selections:

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The 2015 -16 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Devin Wright, Jared Yakel, Josh Hettwer, Jon Corona, Lee Burlingame
Trumpets: Alexis Garnica, Tony Glausi, Ryan Nason, Casey Riley, Luke Harju
Trombones: Matt Hettwer, Sam Dale, Matt Miller, Stephen Young
Rhythm: Gabriel Davila, Nathan Alef, Lyle Hopkins, Ken Mastrogiovanni, Kelsey Bleck

Selections:

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The 2014 -15 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Jared Yakel, Devin Wright, Josh Hettwer, Christian Parkess, Jon Corona
Trumpets: Justin Woodward, Tony Glausi, Ryan Nason, Luke Harju
Trombones: Sam Dale, Matt Miller, Ryan Erp, Stephen Young
Rhythm: Gabriel Davila, Ben LaToracca, Nathan Alef, Dusty Carlson, Lyle Hopkins, Ken Mastrogiovanni, Kelsey Bleck

Selections:

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The 2013 -14 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Jessika Smith, Jared Yakel, Josh Hettwer, Christian Parkess, Devin Wright
Trumpets: Justin Woodward, Steve Sharp, Tony Glausi, Sam Saunders, Jacob Walls
Trombones: Bodie Pfost, Matt Miller, Ryan Erp, Stephen Young
Rhythm Section: Nick Hamel, Torrey Newhart, Patrick Jones, Dusty Carlson, Adam Carlson, Ken Mastrogiovanni

Selections:
Take It All….Fred Sturm
.     Josh Hettwer, tenor sax     Tony Glausi, trumpet
Teddy the Toad….Neal Hefti
Evidence….Monk/arr. Devin Wright*
.     Devin Wright, bari sax
May or May Not….David von Kampen
.     Tony Glausi, trumpet
Mudra….Justin Woodward*
.     Jared Yakel, alto sax
Song For Ellen…..Jessika Smith*
.     Jessika Smith, alto sax

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The 2012 -13 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Jessika Leek, Andy Page, Devin Wright, Josh Hettwer, Grant Caswell
Trumpets: Trevor Jones, Steve Sharp, Tony Glausi, Sam Saunders, Sam Hunt
Trombones: Nathan Walyer, Seth Arnold, Ryan Erp, Stephen Young
Rhythm Section: Olem Alves, Eddie Bond, Torrey Newhart, Patrick Jones, Sean Peterson, Adam Carlson, Derick Thomas

Selections:
Sneak Out….David von Kampen
.     Devin Wright, tenor sax
The Maids Of Cadiz….Gil Evans
.     Tony Glausi, trumpet
Polka Dots And Moonbeams….arr. Paul Krueger*
.     Devin Wright, tenor sax     Tony Glausi, trumpet
Sound & Sight….Torrey Newhart*
.     Andy Page, alto sax
The Mayans Were Wrong….Steve Owen
.     Patrick Jones, piano     Tony Glausi, trumpet
When The World Turns Into Soup….Andy Page*
.     Andy Page, alto sax

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The 2011-12 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Dan Meinhardt, Kate Haller, Joshua Hettwer, Tomas Webster, Eric Johnson
Trumpets: Trevor Jones, Peter Brewer, Sam Hunt, Sam Saunders
Trombones: Kyle Nystrom, Matt Hettwer, Nathan Walyer, Stephen Young
Rhythm Section: Nate Roberts, Eddie Bond, Torrey Newhart, Sean Peterson, Milo Fultz, Derick Thomas, Adam Carlson

Selections:
Peal Repeal….Dan Tepfer, arr. Sam Hunt*
Nines….Dan Tepfer, arr. Dan Meinhardt*

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The 2010 -11 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Dan Meinhardt, Eric Johnson, Sean Nobel Flannery, Tomas Webster, Lauren Wagoner
Trumpets: Nate Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Paul Krueger, Morani Sanders, Peter Brewer
Trombones: Kyle Nystrom, Matt Hettwer, Justin Williamson, JoJoe Nujoy
Rhythm Section: Eddie Bond, Torrey Newhart, Eli Copeland, Paul Owen, Adam Carlson

Selections:

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The 2009 -10 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Amy Eisenstadt, Hashem Assadullahi, Sean Nobel Flannery, Eric Johnson, Charlie Gurke
Trumpets: Nate Johnson, Paul Krueger, Nate Wilson, Morani Sanders
Trombones: Josh Sears, Evan Stewart, Daniel Vest, Brendan Prendergast
Rhythm Section: Andrew Becker, Andrew Washburn, Kevin McDonald, Thomas Heritage, Paul Owen, Adam Sweet

Selections:

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The 2008 -09 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Andy Rosenberg, Simon Adler, Chris Clark, Thomas Webster, Charlie Gurke
Trumpets: Robby Foster, Nate Wilson, Andrew Rowan, Tom Peters
Trombones: Josh Sears, Evan Stewart, Michael Heater, Derek Bondy
Rhythm Section: Andrew Becker, Peter Marcott, Bill Ravel, Andrew Washburn, Kevin McDonald, Paul Owen, Merlin Showalter

Selections:
Transit….Darcy James Argue
A Night In Fallujia….Charlie Gurke

 

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The 2007-08 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Andy Rosenberg, Corey Lanini, Chris Clark, Mariko Ross, Nathan Irby
Trumpets: Robby Foster, Adam Christl, Josh Deutsch, Doug Detrick, David Swigart, Andrew Rowan
Trombones: Derek Bondy, Josh Sears, Evan Wright Stewart, Chuck Nickles
Rhythm Section: Bill Marsh, Andrew Washburn, Josh Tower, Ryan Biesack, Paul Owen

Selections:
Flux In A Box….Darcy James Argue
.     Bill Marsh, guitar     Andrew Washburn, piano     Ryan Biesack, drums
Dog Years…..David Swigart*
.    Derek Bondy, trombone     David Swigart, trumpet
Half The Fun…..Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
.     Andy Rosenberg, alto sax
The Song Is You…..arr. Jim McNeely
.     Chris Clark, tenor sax     Josh Deutsch, trumpet     Paul Owen, drums
Brooklyn Bridge….Doug Detrick*
.     Doug Detrick, trumpet
Jazz Ensemble #6…..Justin Morell*
.     Chris Clark, tenor sax
Tah Dum….Bob Brookmeyer
.     Josh Deutsch, trumpet     Paul Owen, drums
Johnsburg, Illinois….David Swigart*

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The 2006 -07 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Hashem Assadullahi, Corey Lanini, Sean Flannery, Chris Clark, Alan Moffett
Trumpets:Tim Leopold, Dylan Girard, Doug Detrick, Josh Deutsch, David Swigart
Trombones: Derek Bondy, Mike Ragsdale, Louis Olenick, Brian Morgan
Rhythm Section: Bill Marsh, Ben Darwish, Josh Tower, Jason Fritts

Selections:
I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me…Gaskill & McHugh/arr. Matt Moresi*
Green Dolphin Street…Kaper & Washington/arr. Doug Detrick*
Never Let Me Go…..Livingston & Evans/arr. David Swigart*
The Size Of It the Color….Doug Detrick*
No More Once Again (There Will Never Be Another You)…Warren & Gordon/arr. Doug Detrick*
Everything I Love….Porter/arr. Steve Owen

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The 2005-06 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: Hashem Assadullahi, Phil Howe, Chris Clark, Aaron Rohrbacher, Corey
Lanini
Trumpets: Tim Leopold, David Heyer, Keeman Senff, Scott Ruby, Tim Clarke
Trombones: Derek Bondy, Mike Ragsdale, Brain Morgan, Marcus Oatman
Rhythm Section: Bill Marsh, Ben Darwish, Easton Stuard, Josh Tower, Nolan Stolz, Josh Hakanson

Selections:
Madness in Great Ones….Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn
Not Quite….Joe Freuen*

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The 2004-05 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: David Camwell, Corey Lanini, Joe Manis, Hashem Assadullahi, David Larsen
Trumpets: Tim Leopold, Dan Kocurek, Tim Clarke, Kim Hannon
Trombones: Donny Broullette, Mike Ragsdale, Nate Brown, Cody Forcier
Rhythm Section: Bill Marsh, Easton Stuard, Dorian Crow, Nolan Stolz

Selections:
Black Rattle….Dan Cavanagh*
Having Built in Deeper Water….Dan Cavanagh*

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The 2003-04 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: David Camwell, Phil Howe, Joe Manis, Kendra Borgen, Corey Lanini
Trumpets: Eric Ferguson, Alex Lowe, Kim Hannon, Dan Kocurek
Trombones: Matt Moresi, Joe Freuen, Mike Ragsdale, Luke Warren
Rhythm Section: Chris Ward, Dan Cavanagh, Easton Stuard, Josh Britton, Jason Palmer

Selections:
Karintha….Tim Clarke*
Chaos Theory….Dan Cavanagh*
Two And….Bob Brookmeyer

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The 2002-03 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: David Camwell, Dylan Dwyer, Todd DelGuidice, Peter Curcio, Joe Manis
Trumpets: John Adler, Alex Lowe, Josh Head, MIchael Wilson
Trombones: Bryce Peltier, Matt Moresi, Nate Brown, Luke Warren
Rhythm Section: Keith Salley, Greg Goebel, Andrea Niemiec, Jordan Glenn

Selections:
Splitrock…Dan Cavanagh*
.           Greg Goebel, piano     Todd DelGuidice, tenor sax
Have You Heard…Metheny/arr. Dave Camwell*
.     Greg Goebel, piano
Hysteria….Matt Moresi*
.     Joe Manis, bari sax     Dave Camwell, soprano sax
Allegresse…Maria Schneider
.     John Adler, flugel     Todd DelGuidice, tenor sax

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The 2001-02 Oregon Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones: David Camwell, Dylan Dwyer, Todd DelGuidice, Peter Curcio, Joe Manis
Trumpets: John Adler, Chris Rowbotham, Josh Head, Michael Wilson, Alex Lowe
Trombones: Bryce Peltier, Matt Moresi, Joe Freuen, Luke Warren
Rhythm Section: Chris Ward, Greg Goebel, Andrea Niemiec, Jordan Glenn

Selections:
The Happy Go Lucky Local…Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn
First Snow….Holland/arr. Andrea Niemiec*
.     Greg Goebel, piano
Rockin’ In Rhythm….Duke Ellington
I Like Fun Things…..Greg Goebel*
.     Todd DelGuidice, tenor sax
Blue In Frankie’s Flat….Frank Foster
.     Josh Head, trumpet     Peter Curcio, tenor sax     Matt Moresi, trombone

Some Other Time…Berstein/arr. Devin Sanders