Past Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend Events

Saxophonist, composer, and scholar Bill Barron (1927–1989) started teaching as a faculty member at Wesleyan in 1975, bringing guest artists to perform on campus, and served as Chair of the Music Department. Barron also started the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra, giving students the opportunity to perform on the same stage as visiting jazz luminaries. The group has been directed by Professor of Music and African American Studies Jay Hoggard ’76, MA ’91 since 1991. Hoggard calls the creation of music a deep, cultural, spiritual, social practice. Wesleyan’s focus is music in the cultural context, with an awareness of historic, geopolitical, economic, and social factors that go into shaping the vocabulary, in addition to performance, Hoggard says. He has invited ensembles large and small to perform on campus. The African-American Music Program Weekend in 1992 included special guests flutist James Newton and bassist Mark Helias. A decade later, the first Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend in 2002 featured the Bobby Hutcherson Quartet.

Other artists that have been featured as a part of the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend have included Akua Dixon and Quartette Indigo, the Bennie Maupin trio with Buster Williams, the Boston Jazz Repertory Orchestra directed by Bill Lowe and Carl Atkins, Cedar Walton, Celebrating 100 Years of Thelonious Monk featuring the T.S. Monk Sextet, Craig Harris and Friends Play the Music of Sam Rivers, Eli Fountain's Percussion Discussion, Hugh Masekela, Jay Hoggard Harlem Hieroglyphs Ensemble, Jim McNeely Tentet, Dr. Lonnie Smith with Jonathan Kreisberg, The Makanda Project, Mixashawn's "Ghostly Trio" featuring Pheeroan akLaff and Bill Arnold, Noah Baerman Resonance Ensemble, Oliver Lake Big Band including Josh Evans, Phil Woods/Ted Rosenthal duo, Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and Tina Fabrique.

Please see below for events that have been part of the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend since 2015.

Check for upcoming Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend events. 
2024
April
2023

2022

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2024

April

Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend: Craig Harris and Friends Play the Music of Sam Rivers
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 7:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Trombonist, composer, and bandleader Craig Harris has performed around the world with a wide range of progressive jazz luminaries, including the inimitable Sun Ra, as well as Sam Rivers, Cecil Taylor, Charlie Haden, Muhal Richard Abrams, Henry Threadgill, and Oliver Lake, since 1976. At Wesleyan, Harris’ sextet will make their Connecticut debut, performing the music of saxophonist Sam Rivers (1923–2011) in celebration of Rivers’ centennial anniversary at 8pm. The concert opens at 7pm with a 45-minute set performed by members of the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra, directed by Professor of Music and African American Studies Jay Hoggard ’76, MA ’91.
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble Concert [NEW TIME]
Friday, April 26, 2024 at 7:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra and the Music 456 Jazz Ensemble, directed by Professor of Music and African American Studies Jay Hoggard ’76, MA ’91, and the Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, directed by Noah Baerman, present an exciting evening of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire as the start of the 21st annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend. The tunes to be performed include selections by Rufus Reid (in celebration of the bassist's recent 80th birthday), and Max Roach Hon. ’85, P ’93 and J.J. Johnson (saluting their centennial anniversaries, as the drummer and trombonist were both born in 1924).

2023

Akua Dixon and Quartette Indigo
Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Cellist, composer, conductor, and educator Akua Dixon is considered “amongst the treasures of contemporary jazz” (The Star-Ledger, New Jersey), having performed with artists from Duke Ellington and Max Roach to Ray Charles and Lionel Hampton. At Wesleyan, Dixon makes her Connecticut debut with her string quartet, Quartette Indigo, which has been called ”jazz’s leading string quartet” (The Boston Globe). This concert is the conclusion of the 20th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend.
Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, directed by Noah Baerman, performs as the opening concert of the 20th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend. The ensemble presents an exciting program of small-group jazz representing a variety of modern jazz traditions and techniques.

2022

The Makanda Project
Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall

The Boston-based ensemble The Makanda Project performs as the conclusion of the 19th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend. Formed in 2005, the fourteen-member big band explores the previously unrecorded original compositions of Dr. Makanda Ken McIntyre (1931–2001), an innovator who explored new directions in jazz, playing woodwinds on recordings with Cecil Taylor, Eric Dolphy, and Charlie Haden, and who taught at Wesleyan from 1969 to 1971. The group, which features several former Wesleyan faculty and alumni, will also perform two compositions by the late saxophonist Bill Barron, and will be joined at this concert by four dancers. 

Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 22, 2022 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, directed by Noah Baerman, performs as the opening concert of the 19th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend.
Virtual Colloquium Series: BLACK SOUNDS MATTER—INTERSECTIONAL (re)CONNECTIONS OF AFRICAN and AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICS AT WESLEYAN
Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 4:30pm
YouTube
Dwight Andrews and bass trombonist for The Makanda Project and former Wesleyan Artist in Residence Bill Lowe will give talks as part of the final Black Sounds Matter Colloquium Series event this spring.

2020

Wesleyan Jazz Summit [CANCELED]
Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 7:30pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan Jazz Summit celebrates the range of the music called jazz performed by the University’s own astounding teachers.
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble [CANCELED]
Friday, April 17, 2020 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra, directed by Jay Hoggard, and the Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, directed by Noah Baerman, perform as part of the 19th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend.

2019

Jim McNeely Tentet
Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 7:30pm
Crowell Concert Hall
GRAMMY Award-winning pianist/composer Jim McNeely's acclaimed ten-piece jazz ensemble will perform a selection of music from their album Group Therapy during their New England debut.
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 26, 2019 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble present an exciting evening of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire to start the 18th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend.

2018

Celebrating 100 Years of Thelonious Monk featuring the T.S. Monk Sextet
Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Bandleader T.S. Monk has "charted his own course as a composer, arranger and melodic drummer" (NPR), and concludes the 17th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend with a performance by his Sextet. The concert opens with members of the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra, directed by Jay Hoggard, performing compositions by Thelonious Monk at 7:45pm.
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 27, 2018 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble perform as part of the 17th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend.

2017

Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 4:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensembles present an exciting evening of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire.
Eli Fountain's Percussion Discussion
Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Acclaimed percussionist and composer Eli Fountain performs with Professor of Music Jay Hoggard and others as part of the 16th annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend.
Connecticut Percussive Arts Society "Day of Percussion"
Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:30am
Crowell Concert Hall, World Music Hall, and Adzenyah Rehearsal Hall
The Wesleyan Music Department hosts the annual meeting of the Connecticut Percussive Arts Society, featuring an exploration of the world of percussion with Wesleyan ensembles.
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 28, 2017 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensembles present an exciting evening of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire.

2016

Jay Hoggard Harlem Hieroglyphs Ensemble
Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Vibraphonist, composer, and Adjunct Professor of Music Jay Hoggard '76 presents music from his new recording Harlem Hieroglyphs in celebration of 40 years since his Wesleyan senior recital.
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 29, 2016 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensembles present an exciting evening of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire.

2015

Noah Baerman Resonance Ensemble
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
A pianist, composer, educator, author, and Artistic Director of Resonant Motion, “Noah Baerman is no stranger to aiming high” (David Adler, Village Voice). Mr. Baerman’s group will present the world premiere of his extended work The Rock and the Redemption.
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 24, 2015 at 7:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, directed by Noah Baerman, present an exciting evening of jazz repertoire by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, and others.
Music Department Colloquium: Noah Baerman
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 4:15pm
Daltry Room, Music Rehearsal Hall Room 003, 60 Wyllys Avenue
Visiting Instructor in Music Noah Baerman discusses the philosophical origins and musical development of his suite The Rock and the Redemption in anticipation of its premiere on Saturday, April 25.