Jazz Orchestra earns ‘outstanding performance’ from DownBeat Magazine
The Fresno State Jazz Orchestra was recognized in DownBeat Magazine for its “Undergraduate College Outstanding Performance” in its 48th annual Student Music Awards.
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Fulbright scholar Boone brings new insights into pedagogy from Ireland
Boone spent the 2022-23 school year as a Fulbright scholar exploring pedagogy and learning and collaborating in the diverse musical program at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick.
Read MoreFulbright awarded to Prof. Benjamin Boone to explore pedagogy in Ireland
Fresno State professor of music theory and composition, Dr. Benjamin Boone, was named a U.S. Fulbright Scholar for the 2022-23 academic year.
Read MoreMaking Joy
It was hot! It was the summer of 2018 in the city of Accra, about 400 miles north of the equator, and Benjamin Boone and the Ghana Jazz Collective had gathered in the UVSL recording studio — a white concrete building down one of the many dirt side roads. Even with the high-tech equipment, to get clean recordings, the studio had to turn off the air conditioning during recording sessions.
Read MoreFresno State and Fresno City College to perform in concert with guest Dr. James Miley
Feature guest artist, composer and former Fresno State faculty Dr. James Miley who will be performing several of his arrangements with the two ensembles.
Read MoreFresno State Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble combine for an evening of jazz
It promises to be a night of swing as both of the Fresno State jazz ensembles perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 1 in the Concert Hall.
Read More‘The Poetry of Jazz, Vol. 2’ release concert celebrates the lives of Philip Levine and Brian Hamada
A concert to celebrate both the CD Release and the life of Levine will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb 1 at Cal Art’s Severance Theatre located at 1401 N Wishon Ave, Fresno. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door.
Read MoreUS Marine Jazz Orchestra to put on a free concert at Fresno State
The Fresno State Jazz Orchestra will play alongside the United States Marine Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 in the Concert Hall.
Read MoreFresno State Jazz Festival revival is part of a larger vision for the program
It had been nearly 20 years since the last Fresno State Jazz Festival, and after a day of performances by visiting schools, the main concert began in the Fresno State Concert Hall on the evening of Nov. 29. Richard Giddens, Director of Jazz Studies for the Fresno State Department of Music directed the Fresno State […]
Read MoreFall tradition returns with ‘Band Spectacular’ concert
The Fresno State Jazz Orchestra, Fresno State Wind Orchestra, and Bulldog Marching Band combine for the “Band Spectacular” at 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 19th at the Fresno State Concert Hall. The fall tradition continues as three of Fresno State’s finest ensembles unite for an evening of music both inside the Concert Hall and on the […]
Read More‘The Poetry of Jazz’ by Philip Levine and Benjamin Boone ranked #3 Jazz Album of the Year by Downbeat Magazine
What started as a jazz project between two Fresno State colleagues has earned the respect of Downbeat Magazine readers who rank “The Poetry of Jazz” the number three Jazz Album of the Year in the 2018 Readers Poll. The poll results appeared in the December 2018 issue and praised the performance of Pulitzer-winning poet laureate […]
Read MoreMusic monsters emerge for ‘Jazz-O-Ween’ concert
The Fresno State Jazz Orchestra directed by Richard Lloyd Giddens Jr. and the Fresno State Jazz Ensemble directed by Craig VonBerg will come together for a spooky night of music for the “Jazz-O-Ween” concert presented by California State University, Fresno. Event Details Time & Date: 8 p.m., Oct. 31 Place: Fresno State Concert Hall Tickets: […]
Read MoreCelebrating the life of legendary musician and Fresno State jazz teacher Brian Hamada
According to family, local jazz drummer, teacher, and musical mentor Brian Hamada passed away on August 10th, 2018. Brian’s daughter, Madeline Hamada said on Facebook, “For the past few years, my family has privately and quietly struggled through my dad’s battle against cancer. Whether you knew about our journey or not, we thank you for […]
Read MoreTickets on sale for KFSR Jazz and Wine Festival at University House
KFSR Radio, the nonprofit radio station housed on Fresno State’s campus, will host the KFSR Jazz and Wine Festival from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the University House (4411 N. Van Ness Blvd.) in Fresno’s Old Fig Garden neighborhood. A limited number of tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at http://kfsr.org.
Read MoreCineCulture, Filmworks present ‘Chasing Trane’ May 12
Fresno State’s CineCulture film series and Fresno Filmworks will present two screenings of “Chasing Trane” at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, at the Tower Theatre (815 E. Olive Ave.). This documentary feature explores the life, work, and influence of jazz icon John Coltrane. Featuring interviews with legendary musicians such as Carlos Santana, Wynton Marsalis, and Common — […]
Read MoreJazz Bands in concert May 2 with trombone legend Andy Martin
Students in the Fresno State Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra will perform with trombone legend Andy Martin at their final concert of the year at 8 p.m. tonight (May 2) in the Concert Hall. They will be playing music by Kubis, Brookmeyer and Sturm. This past weekend the Fresno State Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Jazztet […]
Read MoreKFSR launches spring pledge drive
KFSR radio kicks off its spring 2017 pledge drive on Saturday, April 1. KFSR is a listener-supported, non-commercial public radio station licensed to and operated by Fresno State. KFSR plays the music you won’t hear anywhere else. KFSR is the only jazz radio in Fresno. KFSR is your exclusive home of the blues. All donations are tax-deductible […]
Read MoreMusic Notes: Jazz groups to perform on March 20
Students in the Fresno State Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble will present a concert at 8 p.m. Monday, March 20, in the Concert Hall at Fresno State. The groups will perform the music of Woody Herman, Alan Ferber, Steely Dan, Fred Sturm, Bob Curnow and more. Each group comprises about 20 students, all of whom […]
Read MoreKFSR launches fall pledge drive
KFSR (kfsr.org/) radio kicks off its fall 2016 pledge drive on Saturday, Oct. 1. KFSR is a listener-supported, non-commercial public radio station licensed to and operated by Fresno State. KFSR plays the music you won’t hear anywhere else. KFSR is the only jazz radio in Fresno. KFSR is your exclusive home of the blues. All donations […]
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The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 