The award-winning UNO Jazz Ensembles continue to receive acclaim for their outstanding musical performances from internationally recognized jazz artists, clinicians, and adjudicators.
View the schedule of public performances presented by the UNO Jazz Program.
UNO Jazz students: View a comprehensive schedule of rehearsals and performances as well as information regarding jazz masterclass.
Jazz I
Directed by Dr. Pete Madsen
The UNO Jazz Ensemble performs the finest big band literature available, covering a range of styles including swing, latin, and contemporary arrangements by UNO Faculty and students.
The ensemble hosts the annual UNO Great Plains Jazz Festival, one of the biggest educational jazz festivals in the midwest, and regularly tours abroad and throughout the United States.
The UNO Jazz Ensemble regularly performs with major guest artists including Randy Brecker, Diane Schuur, Jon Faddis, Peter Erskine, and many more.
Meetings
Jazz I meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 12 P.M. - 12:50 P.M. in 109 SPAC.
Read more about the UNO Jazz Band performing at the Omaha Jitterbugs from the UNO Gateway.
Jazz II
Directed by Prof. Jason Johnson
UNO's Jazz Ensemble II performs regularly on campus and throughout the community. Their repertoire focuses on the classic big band literature including the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton.
The ensemble performs each year at UNO's Great Plains Jazz Festival and makes regular appearances at Omaha Jitterbugs swing dances.
Meetings
Jazz II meets Tuesday & Thursday from 1 P.M. - 1:50 P.M. in 109 SPAC.
Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra
Students auditioning for 2023-2024 MAYJO should fill out this form by Friday, May 5.
Auditions will be held on Wednesday, May 10 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at UNO's Strauss Performing Arts Center. You will receive an e-mail with your exact audition time and location by May 8. Auditions will consist of the 2023 Nebraska All-State Jazz Audition Etudes C1 and C2 which may be found here. Drummers will also play the Drum Kit Styles Excerpts.
Auditions will be performed with the accompanying play-a-long tracks (except the Drum Kit Styles Excerpts). If you wish to slow down your accompaniment track using a program of your choice you may do so. There is a $100 per semester MAYJO fee. MAYJO students must also enroll in 0-1 College Credit Hours through UNO's Early Entry Program.
Questions?
Contact petermadsen@unomaha.edu.Congratulations to MAYJO for being selected by an internationally competitive recorded audition process to perform at the 2022 Jazz Education Network Conference in Dallas, Texas!
Directed by Dr. Pete Madsen
The Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra (MAYJO) is an auditioned group of the finest high school students from the Omaha area. MAYJO performs concerts at UNO and in the community including featured slots at UNO's Great Plains Jazz Festival.
MAYJO students have the opportunity to work closely with UNO faculty, professional musicians from Omaha, and guest artists and clinicians that have included Benny Golson, Peter Erskine, Jim Pugh, Eric Marienthal, Stefon Harris, Kris Berg, and many others.
MAYJO members have been recognized in the Downbeat Student Music Awards and are regularly selected for NAfME All-National ensembles and Nebraska All-State bands and orchestra.
MAYJO 2022-2023
Jazz Combos
These ensembles are coached by Pete Madsen, Jason Johnson, and Darren Pettit
UNO's Jazz Combos cover a wide range of styles including jazz standards, New Orleans Brass Band Funk, and original compositions by UNO students.
The UNO combos perform on campus and for community functions throughout the Omaha metro area. The UNO Jazz Combo has toured both Asia and Europe in partnership with UNO's International Studies Program and the Omaha Sister Cities Association.
