Jazz

Jazz

There are many opportunities to perform in jazz ensembles at USC. Jazz ensemble participation is open to all USC students by audition, including nonmusic majors.

Do you want to be a better than average musician? Students who take the art form of jazz seriously have the opportunity to join one of our jazz ensembles.

Every semester the big bands and combos give a formal concert and several informal concerts, both on and off campus.

Each year the Left Bank Big Band and the Jazz Combo perform with a guest artist like such luminaries as: Louie Bellson, Steve Houghton, Marion McPartland, Bob Shephard, Steve Kujala, Bill Watrous, Marvin Stamm, Bill Holman, Jim McNeely, Randy Brecker, John Fedchock, Dick Oates, Dave Zoller, Ed Soph, Marcus Roberts Trio, The USC Army Blues Band, Mark O'Connor and Hot Swing, and The Andy LaVerne Trio. Bert Ligon is director of Jazz Studies.

Students participating in jazz ensembles are expected to know the music well enough to play from memory, attend all rehearsals and performances on time and prepared to play your best, and have instruments in working order.

If you need to miss a rehearsal you must send a sub who plays as well or better than you. Problem attendance will result in a lower semester grade.

Interested in participating in a Jazz ensemble?

Left Bank Big Band, directed by Lauren Meccia
Swing Shift Big Band, directed by Lauren Meccia

Traditional Jazz Combos, directed by Bert Ligon

The Jazz String Ensemble, directed by Bert Ligon
Carolina Alive (jazz choral), directed by Aletha Jacobs

Email Bert Ligon or call 803-777-6565 to schedule auditions, held in the fall and spring semesters.

Aletha Jacobs

Aletha Jacobs is director of Carolina Alive and has performed in every kind of venue, from playing and singing in bands, accompanying musicians and musicals, to performing with orchestras. She has toured the Mediterranean and Central America performing for our troops and has shared the stage with The Shirelles, The Drifters and Freddy Cole, among others.

Bert Ligon

Bert Ligon is director of jazz studies. He toured with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra and has performed with Chris Potter, Red Rodney, Randy Brecker, Marion McPartland, Mel Torme, Dianne Schuur and others. He has published three books and several original compositions and arrangements.