EOU JAZZ ENSEMBLE

  The EOU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Matt Cooper, is a large jazz combo of EOU students who play rhythm section instruments, horns, or do vocals. The ensemble performs at least one concert per term, and participates yearly in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho. In addition, the ensemble invites regional and national jazz artists to campus for clinics and/or concerts. Guest artists who have presented clinics and/or performed in concert at EOU include:  

  David Friesen       Glen Moore       Nancy King        John Stowell           David Friesen       Alan Jones    Art Lande              Dave Captein       Dave Scott        Jay Clayton           Gary Versace          Andrew Hill       Curtis Stigers            Keith Hall         Phil Palombi          David Berkman       Dave Pietro       Dave Glenn        Matthew Friese      

Paul Anastasio       Doug Bristol         Jeff Sizer             Benji Tomassetti       Don Latarski and Rue de Blues   

Former members of the EOU Jazz Ensemble have been accepted to Masters programs in Jazz Studies at several major universities, played jazz professionally at nightclubs and on cruise ships, and taught lessons privately or through Community Schools or university music programs. In 1995, pianist Tim Moses won both the Outstanding College Pianist and Outstanding College Instrumentalist awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.