Nebraska Jazz Orchestra presents Celebrating 50 Years of Big Band Jazz Music - 1975-1984

Date and Time

• Thursday, Oct 16, 2025  7:30pm

Location

Categories

Nightlife • Music

Details

Over 160 musicians have performed with the NJO during the past 49 years. Many of our current musicians have been with the band for over 30 years, including two who have been there since the beginning. We are excited to have a number of alumni returning to sit in with us on each concert to celebrate our 50thAnniversary Season. Each concert will feature music performed during each decade, reflecting on the guest artists who played with the band and some of the places the band has performed You will not want to miss this season!Single Tickets:Adults $28Students $10 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, October 16 | 7:30pm

1975-1984

The NJO remembers some of the early members who wrote a number of pieces for the NJO, including Randy Snyder, Dave Jarvis, and Bart Bartholomew. Some guest artists from this era include John LaBarbera, Bill Watrous, Don Menza, and Clark Terry. The band also traveled to England and Scotland in 1978.

Tuesday, December 2 | 7:30pm

1985-1994

The NJO recalls how Tom Larson, Randy Snyder, and other musicians wrote compositions and arrangements for the band. A number of Nebraskans were featured including Dave Brown, Steve Klintberg, Loy Hetrick, Andy Hall, Rusty White, Russ Gibson, the Gulizia Brothers, Mason Prince, Joe Genovesi, Bev Jester, Matt Wallace, Ken Hoyne, Jeff Newell, Luigi Waites, and others.

Tuesday, January 20 | 7:30pm

1995-2004

Featuring the 2026 Young Lions Big Band

Members of the NJO, including David Sharp, Mark Benson, and Peter Bouffard, wrote a number of compositions and arrangements for the band. More Nebraska artists were featured, including Dennis Schneider, Victor Lewis, Laurie Frink, Mac McCune, Annette Murrell, and The Lightning Bugs. Other notable guests included Freddie Hubbard, Marilyn Maye, Dave Stryker, Steve Slagle, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Benny Powell, Bobby Watson, Eldar Djangirov, Don Menza, Pete Christlieb, and Claudio Roditi. The band traveled to Europe in 1997, performing in France, Germany, and at the Montruex Jazz Festival in Switzerland

Tuesday, March 31 | 7:30pm

2005-2014

Featuring the Westside Concert Jazz Band

The fourth decade featured guest soloists from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, including Terell Stafford and Scott Wendholt, as well as from the Big Phat Band, including Wayne Bergeron, Willie Murrilo, Bernie Dresel, and Andy Martin. Bill Watrous, who had the most appearances as a soloist with the NJO, also returned as a soloist

Thursday May, 21 | 7:30pm

2015-2025

Featuring the Young Jazz Artist Competition Winner

This decade featured more Nebraska artists, including Kelly Rossum, James Valentine, David Sharp, and PANgea. It also saw Ed Neumeister, Greg Gisbert, Bobby Shew, and Nadje Noordhuis joining the band, with additional concerts at the Lied Center featuring Doc Severinsen and Paul Shaffer