Eastern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble - 61920 (2019)

The EIU Jazz Ensemble is directed by Sam Fagaly. The group has received numerous awards including Outstanding Ensemble and Solo Performance citations at the Notre Dame and Elmhurst College jazz festivals as well as from Downbeat magazine. They have been featured at the International Association for Jazz Education and Illinois Music Educators Association conferences and have performed with legendary jazz artists Mel Torme’, Dizzy Gillespie, Diane Schuur, and Joe Williams among others.

For students interested in pursuing a degree in jazz, Jazz Studies is available as a concentration within the Bachelor of Music degree. This program offers students a comprehensive study of jazz music from academic and performance perspectives. It is well-known for its high quality instruction and successful graduates. The program provides a strong foundation in performance and jazz improvisation, history, theory, and arranging.