Role

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Ensemble

 

The Columbia Jazz Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1963 at Columbia University in New York City. The ensemble is made up of undergraduate and graduate students from the university's music program, and is dedicated to the performance of jazz music. The ensemble was founded by Paul Jeffrey, a saxophonist and composer who had previously played with jazz legends such as Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie. Jeffrey was a faculty member at Columbia University, and he saw the need for a jazz ensemble that would give students the opportunity to perform and study jazz music. The ensemble's early years were marked by a focus on traditional jazz styles, such as swing and bebop. However, as the ensemble grew and evolved, it began to incorporate more contemporary jazz styles, such as fusion and free jazz. Over the years, the Columbia Jazz Ensemble has had many talented members, including saxophonist Joshua Redman, who went on to become a world-renowned jazz musician. Other notable alumni include pianist Vijay Iyer and drummer Matt Wilson. One of the highlights of the ensemble's history was its performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1973. The ensemble was one of only two American groups invited to perform at the festival that year, and its performance was well-received by both the audience and the critics. In addition to its performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Columbia Jazz Ensemble has also performed at many other prestigious venues, including Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. The ensemble has also released several albums over the years, including "Columbia Jazz Ensemble Plays Duke Ellington" and "Columbia Jazz Ensemble Plays Thelonious Monk." The ensemble has also received many awards and honors over the years. In 1995, the ensemble was awarded the DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award for Best College Jazz Ensemble. The ensemble has also been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. Today, the Columbia Jazz Ensemble continues to be a vibrant and active part of the Columbia University music program. The ensemble performs regularly on campus and throughout the New York City area, and it continues to attract talented young musicians who are passionate about jazz music.

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