1 O'Clock Jazz Band

The MSU 1 O'Clock Jazz Band has an extensive performance schedule over the state of Montana to promote and support jazz education. The band performs concerts, offers clinics and hosts workshops for all levels of jazz bands. The Jazz Band has traveled to the University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival to be adjudicated by the leading jazz educators from around the country. Many band members have received outstanding soloist awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators, and the band has also been awarded prizes and superior ratings from the adjudicators.

Shuichi Komiyama, a highly respected international orchestral and wind conductor, Emmy winning composer and a respected jazz pedagogue began his directorship of the Jazz Band in the Fall of 2006. Professor Komiyama brings with him an extensive background in jazz performance. As flutist and jazz saxophonist, he performed and recorded with major jazz artists; Kenny Burrell, John Patitucci, Eric Marienthal, Wynton Marsalis, Gordon Goodwin, Conti Candoli, Clay Jenkins, Roy Hargrove, Les Hooper, Ashley Alexander, Dave Koz, Frank Mantooth, Gregg Bissonette and Grant Geismann. Membership in this ensemble is gained through audition at the beginning of the fall semester