This award-winning, 20-piece big band and 2009 winner of the Villanova Collegiate Jazz Festival will perform a broad range of big band literature, including student works. The band is directed by Professor Jeff Holmes, Director of Jazz & African-American Music Studies at UMASS. Begins at 7:30 PM.

Founded and headed by bandleader Dave Sporny, this professional big band plays a wide array of music, from rare and historical big band works to some of the newest original contemporary jazz. AJO performs on the first and third Monday of each month. Going into their 15th season at ABC, the Amherst Jazz Orchestra has quite a following! Therefore, we encourage everyone to come early to get a good seat, as we do not accept reservations for this event. Starts at 7:30 PM and goes until 10:00 PM.

Jazz in July is a concentrated two-week program (July 8-19, 2013), where students study jazz improvisation with some of the nation’s best jazz educators and artists. The Jazz in July Performance Series showcases the art of both faculty and students. Concerts happen on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of both Week One (July 8-12) and Week Two (July 15-19).

CLUB JAZZ IN JULY

On Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, July 10 & 17, CLUB JAZZ IN JULY allows students to perform live, in a relaxed, club-like environment. A critical part of the Jazz in July curriculum is for students to experience all aspects of musicianship. After a week of collaborating with artists from around the country, and honing their skills, these students put it to the real test by performing before a live – and paying audience.  In order to maximize the experience, we are collaborating with the Amherst Brewing Company, to offer this event off-campus at their restaurant at 10 University Drive in Amherst.

Founded and headed by bandleader Dave Sporny, this professional big band plays a wide array of music, from rare and historical big band works to some of the newest original contemporary jazz. AJO performs on the first and third Monday of each month. Going into their 15th season at ABC, the Amherst Jazz Orchestra has quite a following! Therefore, we encourage everyone to come early to get a good seat, as we do not accept reservations for this event. Starts at 7:30 PM and goes until 10:00 PM.

Jazz in July is a concentrated two-week program (July 8-19, 2013), where students study jazz improvisation with some of the nation’s best jazz educators and artists. The Jazz in July Performance Series showcases the art of both faculty and students. Concerts happen on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of both Week One (July 8-12) and Week Two (July 15-19).

CLUB JAZZ IN JULY

On Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, July 10 & 17, CLUB JAZZ IN JULY allows students to perform live, in a relaxed, club-like environment. A critical part of the Jazz in July curriculum is for students to experience all aspects of musicianship. After a week of collaborating with artists from around the country, and honing their skills, these students put it to the real test by performing before a live – and paying audience.  In order to maximize the experience, we are collaborating with the Amherst Brewing Company, to offer this event off-campus at their restaurant at 10 University Drive in Amherst.