Chicago Jazz Ensemble

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The Chicago Jazz Ensemble (CJE) with Artistic Director Dana Hall is an internationally known professional jazz orchestra that has been resident at Columbia College Chicago since 1965. The CJE strives to integrate tradition with innovation by presenting and reinterpreting the classics of big-band repertoire as well as championing the new creative voices of the 21st century. It is equally committed to music education and to nurturing the next generation of jazz artists and listeners by providing young people with mentorship, training, and performance opportunities.

The members of the CJE include noted educators, in-demand recording artists, and composers whose work is highly prized among jazz orchestras across the country. Individually, they have performed with artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Sun Ra, Branford Marsalis, and John Mellencamp. The Ensemble’s members also take part in a host of education programs, ranging from workshops and master classes to the Louis Armstrong Legacy Program and Celebration, which mentors student musicians within the Chicago Public School system. Artistic Director Dana Hall has also served as Music Director since 2008. He was named one of the Chicago Tribune’s 2009 “Chicagoans of the Year” and is an active performer who has appeared on more than 20 albums.