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Jazz

The University of Mississippi Department of Music has a rich jazz tradition with a variety of ensemble offerings.

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Jazz musicians and conductor performing a concert on stage with "Umbria Jazz" on banner behind them.
2022 marked 100 years since the Ole Miss Jazz Orchestra first appeared on campus and in the Ole Miss Yearbook. To commemorate this remarkable milestone, we commissioned a piece by legendary jazz artist, John Clayton. Check it out on our YouTube channel and read more about concerts that marked the centennial.

History of Jazz

With a lineage that goes back to a university-sponsored group of student musicians who performed dance music in the late 1890s, The Mississippians are one of the oldest college jazz ensembles in the nation. Whether you are into Big Band, small combos, or Latin Jazz–we've got you covered!
Jazz musicians on stage looking out to an animated conductor and an empty concert hall.

The Mississippians

The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble is an 18-piece big band under the direction of Dr. Michael Worthy. Members of the band are University of Mississippi undergraduate and graduate students majoring in music and other academic disciplines. Students enroll for academic credit and meet for three fifty-minute rehearsals per week on MWF at 12:00. The band has performed on college campuses across the country

Guest artists and clinicians have included Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Cyrus Chestnut, Tommy Igoe, Julian Bliss, Branford Marsalis, Jeff Coffin & The Mu’tet, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Mark Taylor, Jim Snidero, Marcus Printup, Elliot Mason, and Ali Jackson.

Jazz musicians on stage looking out to an animated conductor and an empty concert hall.

The Collegians

The Collegians Jazz Ensemble offers students the opportunity to learn the various styles that are common in big band performance, including swing, latin, rock and funk. The Collegians rehearse on MWF at 12:00 and perform a concert each semester.

Six piece jazz ensemble perform at darkly lit club. Musicians from left to right play guitar (seated), trombone, trumpet, drums, saxophone, and electric bass guitar.

UM Jazz Combos

Jazz combos are small groups of 5-7 that provide students the opportunity to explore improvisation, arranging and composing. We typically have two or three combos and a faculty combo that perform at Proud Larry’s on the Oxford Square each semester. Our top jazz combo performed at the 2022 JENerations Jazz Festival in Dallas as part of the Jazz Education Network National Conference.

Michael D Worthy

Welcome to Ole Miss Jazz

Where our legacy of over 100 years of jazz converges with creativity, innovation, and musical excellence. We are a dynamic community of talented musicians committed to exploring the rich and diverse landscape of jazz music. Whether you're a seasoned jazz performer or new to the genre, Ole Miss Jazz offers a welcoming space for all levels of experience. Dive into the improvisational spirit, refine your skills, and be part of a legacy of musical excellence.

Michael D Worthy

Professor of Music

Join Ole Miss Jazz!

Auditions for the 2024-2025 academic year will be held August 26, 27, and 28. Please visit the Auditions page for more information or to schedule and audition.
Auditions

The Beginning of Jazz

Close up of man playing trumpet with reflective blue sunglasses.

Page from archival publication with photo of nine-member band. Band members listed: D.C. McCoot, Jr., Director; Fred Bradshaw, Manager; Herbert Fant; George Davis; Gene Irby; Bonney Cole; G. N. Raines; Hugh Goodwin. Illustration of a castle and clouds with "205"

First use of "Mississippians"

A photograph of the “Jazz Orchestra” appears in the 1922 Ole Miss Annual, and a jazz band led by Dick McCool used the name “Mississippians” for the first time in 1927.

Archival black and white photo of group of musicians with their instruments.

Photo of the “Orchestra” from the 1897 University of Mississippi year book.

Jazz musician on stage with other musicians, wearing sunglasses, holds saxophone and waves at camera.

A group of saxophone players at Umbria Jazz festival playing in front of the director

The Mississippians at the Umbria Jazz Festival.

Past Performances

Ole Miss Jazz and affiliates have been integral participants in the development of Oxford’s thriving music scene. The Mississippians played significant roles in establishing Oxford’s Double Decker Festival as well as the Summer Sunset Series in the Grove, performing for numerous consecutive years in the earliest editions of each. In 2023 The Mississippians opened the Double Decker Festival.
The Mississippians were selected to perform on three prestigious jazz festivals in the summer of 2023. The toured France and Spain while performing at Jazz à Juan in Antibes, France and Jazz in Marciac in Marciac, France, and to Spain to at Jazzaldia in San Sebastián, Spain.

The UM Jazz Ensemble celebrated its centennial with three performances in 2022—the second performance too place on Dec. 8, 2022 during the Mississippi Band Directors Association State Band Clinic in the Natchez Convention Center.

The ensemble performed “New Blood,” a piece commissioned from legendary jazz composer John Clayton to commemorate the centennial. They also performed some music from the 1920s as a nod to the music that started this remarkable legacy at Ole Miss.

Hit-and-Run



Second-Time-Around



Shiny-Stockings



2023

April 13, 2023, Nutt Auditorium

Chinoiserie by Duke Ellington
Berlin Bei Nacht by Oliver Nelson
Honeysuckle Rose by Fats Waller and Andy Razaf, arr. Quincy Jones
New Blood by John Clayton
Commissioned by The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble to commemorate 100 Years Of Jazz at Ole Miss
Robot Portrait by Quincy Jones
The Deacon by Thad Jones
Pick Up The Pieces by The Average White Band, arr. Arif Mardin 

February 8, 2023, Ford Center

Chinoiserie by Duke Ellington
Berlin Bei Nacht by Oliver Nelson
Max by Jeff Hamilton, arr. John Clayton
New Blood by John Clayton
Commissioned by The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble to commemorate 100 Years Of Jazz at Ole Miss
Pick Up The Pieces by The Average White Band, arr. Arif Mardin

2022

December 8, 2022 Mississippi Band Directors Association, Natchez
Repeal & Replace by Elliot Deutsch
The Stampede by Don Redman
Max by Jeff Hamilton, arr. John Clayton
New Blood by John Clayton
Commissioned by The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble to commemorate 100 Years Of Jazz at Ole Miss
Cubauza by Michael Mossman
Moanin’ Charles Mingus, arr. Sy Johnson
November 11, 2022 Ford Center
Max by Jeff Hamilton, arr. John Clayton
15 Minutes Late by John Clayton
Squatty Roo by Johnny Hodges, arr. John Clayton
New Blood by John Clayton
Commissioned by The Mississippians Jazz Ensemble to commemorate 100 Years Of Jazz at Ole Miss
Pools by Don Grolnick, arr. John Fedchock
Cubauza by Michael Mossman
Moanin’ Charles Mingus, arr. Sy Johnson
April 12, 2022 Nutt Auditorium
Repeal & Replace by Elliot Deutsch
The Stampede by Don Redman
Count ‘Em by Quincy Jones
Sway by Norman Gimbel and Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, arr. Myles Collins
Manteca by Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Fuller, Chano Pozo, arr. Mike Tomaro
Hav-A-Havana by Bill Hollman
Señor Blues by Horace Silver, arr. Gary McFarland
Slings & Arrows by Michael Brecker, arr. Rob Lussier
Bodysnatchers by Radiohead, arr. Fred Sturm
Transit by Darcy James Argue
February 18, 2022 Ford Center
Repeal & Replace by Elliot Deutsch
Count ‘Em by Quincy Jones
Manteca by Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Fuller, Chano Pozo, arr. Mike Tomaro
Transit by Darcy James Argue

2021

November 11, 2021 Ford Center
Broadway by Bird, McRae and Wood, arr. Sammy Nestico
O.W. by Mary Lou Williams
A Little Minor Booze by Willie Maiden
Oro Preto by Bob Mintzer
Night Flight by Sammy Nestico
April 15, 2020 Band Hall Parking Lot
Spain by Chick Corea, arr. Gjesvold
Blues for Red by John Fedchock
Just Kidding by Eliane Elias, arr. Brookmeyer
The Mooche by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills, trans. Birger
Rain Check by Billy Strayhorn, arr. John Clayton
Corner Pocket by Freddie Green
Boogie Stop Shuffle by Charles Mingus, arr. Johnson
Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead, arr. Miley
Tutu by Marcus Miller, arr. Mossman

2020

November 17, 2020 Ford Center
Corner Pocket by Freddie Green, arr. Wilkins
Fillmore Street Mambo by Wayne Wallace
Bright Mississippi by Thelonious Monk, arr. Lussier
Rosa Mae by Mary Lou Williams, arr. Armstrong
February 21, 2020 Ford Center
Seven Come Eleven by Benny Goodman and Charlie Christian, arr. Mantooth
Perdido by Juan Tizol, arr. Wright
Super Blue by Bernard Ighner, arr. Walsh
Squatty Roo by Johnny Hodges, arr. Clayton

2019

November 14, 2019
Nutt Auditorium Blues in Hoss’ Flat by Frank Foster
Kansas City Shout by Ernie Wilkins
The Deacon by Thad Jones
Ahunk Ahunk by Thad Jones
Three And One by Thad Jones
Trinkle Tinkle by Thelonious Monk, arr. Oliver Nelson
The Art of Darkness by James Miley
April 6, 2019, Link Center, Tupelo, MS
April 11, 2019, Nutt Auditorium
The Joker by Lee Morgan, arr. Lussier
Ko-Ko by Duke Ellington
Cubauza by Michael Mossman
Black, Brown and Beautiful by Oliver Nelson
Three and One by Thad Jones
The Point of No Return by Eric Richards
You and the Night and the Music by Dietz & Schwartz, arr. Detweiler
Thank You So Much! by Mike Pendowski
Una Mas by Kenny Dorham, arr. Lussier
Dance You Monster To My Soft Song by Maria Schneider
March 23, 2019, Ford Center, North American Saxophone Alliance
You and the Night and the Music by Dietz & Schwartz, arr. Detweiler
David Detweiler, soloist
Mambo a la Mode by Larry Panella
Larry Panella, soloist
Black, Brown and Beautiful by Oliver Nelson
Brett Pimentel, soloist
Thank You So Much! by Mike Pendowski
Mike Pendowski, soloist
The Point of No Return by Eric Richards
Dave Camwell, soloist
Cherokee by Ray Noble, arr. Bill Holman
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown

2018

November 8, 2018
Nutt Auditorium
Cubauza by Michael Mossman
Ko-Ko by Duke Ellington
The Joker by Lee Morgan, arr. Lussier
Una Mas by Kenny Dorham, arr. Lussier
Easin’ It by Frank Foster
Three And One by Thad Jones
Dance You Monster To My Soft Song by Maria Schneider
Mambo by Leonard Bernstein, arr. Mossman
July 16, 2018 Jazz
à Juan, Juan les Pin, France
July 20, 2018 Umbria Jazz Festival, Perugia, Italy
Step Right Up by Oliver Nelson
Don’t Git Sassy by Thad Jones
Fly Me To The Moon by Bart Howard, arr. Quincy Jones
The Jody Grind by Horace Silver, arr. John Clayton
Grass Is Greener by Adam Bartczak
Jackhammer by Bob Curnow
Hot It Up by Shelton Berg
The Wiggle Walk by Benny Carter
Opus 4 by Charles Mingus, arr. Koslov
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by Josef Zawinul, arr. Phil Wilson
Li’l Darlin’ by Neil Hefti
Splanky by Neil Hefti
April 12, 2018
Nutt Auditorium (Chancellor’s Concert)
Second Line (Joe Avery Blues) Traditional, arr. Victor Goins
Step Right Up by Oliver Nelson
Birth Of The Blues by Ray Henderson
Don’t Git Sassy by Thad Jones
Fly Me To The Moon by Bart Howard, arr. Quincy Jones
The Jody Grind by Horace Silver, arr. John Clayton
Grass Is Greener by Adam Bartczak
Jackhammer by Bob Curnow
Hot It Up by Shelton Berg
Feb. 16, 2018 Ford Center

Step Right Up by Oliver Nelson
Fly Me To The Moon by Bart Howard, arr. Quincy Jones
Grass Is Greener by Adam Bartczak
Jackhammer by Bob Curnow

2017

Nov. 9, 2017 Nutt Auditorium
Wiggle Walk by Benny Carter
Mary’s Idea by Mary Lou Williams
Duet by Neal Hefti
Splanky by Neal Hefti
I Be Serious ‘Bout Dem Blues by John Clayton
Opus 4 by Charles Mingus, arr. Kozlov
Apr. 6, 2017 Nutt Auditorium
Moanin’ by Charles Mingus, arr. Sy Johnson
Boo-Dah by Billy Strayhorn, trans. Berger & Canterbury
Hunting Wabbits by Gordon Goodwin
Isotope by Joe Henderson
Pick Up The Pieces by The Average White Band, arr. Arif Martin

2016

Nov. 10, 2016 Nutt Auditorium
Bali Bali Buck Dance by Bill Holman
Easy Money by Benny Carter
Lester Leaps In by Lester Young, trans. Myles Collins
Ojos de Rojo by Cedar Walton, arr. Fedchock
Chinoiserie by Duke Ellington
Berlin Bei Nacht by Oliver Nelson
Apr. 14, 2016
Hey, Jealous Lover by Twomey, Walker & Cahn, arr. Byers
It’s Oh, So Nice by Sammy Nestico
Absolution by Jim McNeely
Birk’s Works by Dizzy Gillespie, arr. Mike Tomaro
Robot Portrait by Quincy Jones
Tisherome by Mary Lou Williams, arr. Brenze
Air Mail Special by B. Goodman, J. Mundy, C. Christian, arr. Cohn
Feb. 19, 2016 Ford Center
Feb. 26, 2016 Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival
Hey, Jealous Lover by Twomey, Walker & Cahn, arr. Byers
Tisherome by Mary Lou Williams, arr. Brenze
Robot Portrait by Quincy Jones
Absolution by Jim McNeelyNov. 12, 2015
Air Mail Special by B. Goodman, J. Mundy, C. Christian, arr. Cohn

2015

Nov. 12, 2015
Air Mail Special by B. Goodman, J. Mundy, C. Christian, arr. Cohn
Nov. 12, 2015
Hey, Jealous Lover by Twomey, Walker & Cahn, arr. Byers
Tisherome by Mary Lou Williams, arr. Brenzel
A Walkin’ Thing by Benny Carter, arr. Norman
It’s Oh, So Nice by Sammy Nestico
FM by Becker & Fagen, arr. Sturm
Optimistic by Radiohead, arr. Darling
Time Check by Don Menza
April 21, 2015 Nutt Auditorium
Brass Machine by Mark Taylor
Fried Buzzard by Lou Donaldson, arr. Fedchock
Dilemma by Dee Barton
Invitation by Kaper & Webster, arr. Printup
Walkin’ And Swingin’  by Mary Lou Williams
New Musical Express by Mary Lou Williams
Hit And Run by Dennis DiBlasio
Feb. 20, 2015 Ford Center
Brass Machine by Mark Taylor
Fried Buzzard by Lou Donaldson, arr. Fedchock
The Second Time Around by Van Heusen & Cahn, arr. Byers
Hit And Run by Dennis DiBlasio

2014

Nov. 13, 2014 Nutt Auditorium
Oh! by Ernie Wilkins
Such Sweet Thunder by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
The Second Time Around by Van Heusen & Cahn, arr. Byers
Fables Of Faubus by Charles Mingus, arr. Slagle
Swing State by James Miley
Sister Sadie by Horace Silver, arr. Pendowski
April 10, 2014  Nutt Auditorium
The Swizzle by Benny Carter
La Suerte De Los Tontos by Johnny Richards, arr. Niehaus
I’m Beginning To See The Light by Duke Ellington, arr. Jones
Ladybird by Tadd Dameron, arr. Schneider
Tribute by Bob Mintzer
Back Bone by Thad Jones, arr. Carubia
Every Day I Have The Blues by Peter Chatman, arr. Holmes
Things Aint’ What They Used To Be by Mercer Ellington and Ted Persons, arr. Lalama
Feb. 21, 2014  Ford Center with Jim Snidero
The Swizzle by Benny Carter
A Child Is Born by Thad Jones
Tribute by Bob Mintzer
Back Bone by Thad Jones

2013

Nov. 7, 2013  Nutt Auditorium
Fruitcake by Jeff Coffin
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John, arr. Mark Taylor
Bone Talk by Mark Taylor
The Jive Samba by Nat Adderly, arr. Mark Taylor
Greasin’ The Skids by Jamey Simmons
Back Bone by Thad Jones
Oct. 8, 2013  Ford Center with Jeff Coffin
The Swizzle by Benny Carter
Fruitcake by Jeff Coffin
Sweet Magnolias by Jeff Coffin
Wobble by Jeff Coffin
Tall & Lanky by Jeff Coffin
April 9, 2013  Nutt Auditorium
Squatty Roo by Johnny Hodges, arr. John Clayton
15 Minutes Late by John Clayton
Second Line by Duke Ellington
Moon Over Cuba by Juan Tizol, arr. Duke Ellington
Movin’ Uptown by Benny Carter
Absolution by Jim McNeely
Scrapple From The Apple by Charlie Parker, arr. Dick Lieb
Cruisin’ For A Bluesin’ by Andy Weiner, arr. Peter Blair
Feb. 15, 2013  Ford Center
Scrapple From The Apple by Charlie Parker, arr. Dick Lieb
Squatty Roo by Johnny Hodges, arr. John Clayton
15 Minutes Late by John Clayton
Cruisin’ For A Bluesin’ by Andy Weiner, arr. Peter Blair