The Ray Conniff Jazz Ensemble Series Watch the livestream EASTMAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA Christine Jensen, director The Eastman Jazz Orchestra has been recognized as one of the world’s premier collegiate jazz performing organizations for three decades. Years before Eastman alumnus Chuck Mangione became the ensemble’s first faculty director, the band was established and governed by Eastman student musicians. In 1970, former Radio City Music Hall musical director Rayburn Wright was hired to develop the Eastman jazz studies and contemporary media program and in 1972 he succeeded Mangione as director of the Jazz Orchestra. Bill Dobbins, who led the group from 1989 to 1994, returned to the position in 2002 after an eight-year tenure as principal director of the WDR Radio Big Band in Cologne, Germany. Fred Sturm served as director from 1995 to 2002. Christine Jensen took over direction in 2022 after Dobbins retirement. The Eastman Jazz Orchestra has been consistently honored over the years by the Annual Down Beat Magazine Student Music Awards for ‘Outstanding Large Ensemble’, including 2023 and 2024. EASTMAN NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA Dave Rivello, director The Eastman New Jazz Orchestra was established to showcase the finest contemporary music from around the world written for jazz ensemble. Performing repertoire primarily from the last 20 years, the New Jazz Orchestra plays music not often heard or yet recorded, and frequently premieres new works, including those of student writers. In 2009 this ensemble was the Downbeat Student Music Award winner for Best College Big Band. The Ray and Vera Conniff Foundation was established in 2015 to honor the renowned Grammy-winning trombonist and arranger Ray Conniff. The foundation furthers Conniff’s legacy by supporting future generations of musicians through scholarships and financial support. 3D Tour of Kodak Hall