SMSU Jazz Ensemble
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The SMSU Jazz Ensemble performs a variety of standard and new jazz works of all difficulty levels and styles. Emphasis is placed on the authentic performance of this truly American style of music and enhancing technical and theoretical skills associated with playing this music.
Participation in the Jazz Ensemble is open to all SMSU students.
As part of the SMSU Band's Guest Artist Series the Jazz Ensemble hosts and performs with guest jazz performers from around the country. Recent guest-clinicians have included:
Larry McWilliams, trumpet (2007); Dr. Michael Flack, piano (2008); Jim Snidero, alto saxophone (2009); Dennis Wilson, trombone (2010); Dr. Matthew Murdock, trumpet (2010); Rodney Whitaker, bass (2011); Michael Philip Mossman, trumpet (2012); Antonio Hart, alto saxophone (2013); Dr. Bill Prince, multi-instrumentalist (2014); Conrad Herwig, trombone (2015); Mike Clark, drum set (2016); Larry McWilliams, trumpet (2016); Rob Dixon, tenor saxophone (2017); Eduardo Tami, flute (2017); the Dakota Jazz Collective (2017); Denis DiBlasio, bari sax/flute (2019); Bill Huber, trombone (2020); Dr. Oliver Nelson, flute (2021); Allison Miller, drum set (2022); Tom "Bones" Malone, trombone (2023); Tom Scott, saxophone (2024); Kate Skinner, voice & piano (2025); and Mike Dana, guitar (2026).
This year the Jazz Ensemble will host.
Francisco Torres, Trombone -- Jazz Residency -- March 22 & 23, 2027
Francisco Torres is a well-respected trombonist, bass trombonist, educator, composer and arranger who hails from Hermosillo, Sonora. Born in 1974, Francisco didn’t start his musical training until 15 years old, playing alto saxophone then switching to tuba and euphonium. By accident, he discovered jazz trombone while watching the jazz band practice before school. He was hooked.
After graduating from high school, he went on to study with Dr. Tony Mazzaferro and Dr. Greg Woll at Fullerton College, where he played in the jazz band, symphonic band and the symphony orchestra. While at Fullerton, he was a featured soloist with the symphonic band, performing Carnival Of Venice on euphonium and later in the year, Bolero with the Fullerton College symphony. After transferring to Cal State Long Beach, he was again a featured soloist with the symphonic band, performing Carnival of Venice on euphonium and Bolero with the Cal State Long Beach symphony.
Francisco has emerged as a first-class arranger and composer, particularly in the field of Latin jazz. He has served as musical director, producer and arranger for the Grammy-winning percussionist Poncho Sanchez for 12 years. He is also a member of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, John Beasley’s Monkestra, Bill Cunliffe’s Bachannalia, and has performed or recorded with Arturo Sandoval, Bill Holman, Manhattan Transfer, Joey Defrancesco, Natalie Cole, Doc Severinsen, Sammy Nestico, and Terence Blanchard, as well as Santana, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Lopez, Johnny Mathis, Robbie Williams, and many others. For eight seasons he was first-call sub with the Dancing With the Stars Orchestra, and has appeared with different artists on the Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, The Late Late Show, and Jimmy Kimmel.
Being known primarily as a studio and jazz trombonist, he has also excelled in the field of classical music. He can be heard as trombonist, bass trombonist and valve trombonist for Michael Giacchino on the Pixar film Coco. Some of his most recent films credits are The Secret Life of Pets, Ice Age 4, Penguins of Madagascar, and Straight Outta Compton. On TV he can be heard on The Simpsons, Elena of Avalor, Sofia The First, and The Get Down, as well as many others. He regularly records trombone for orchestra shows and parades for Shanghai Disney, Tokyo Disney, Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and has recorded a multitude of musically diverse albums with major music stars including Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Dr. Dre, Michael Bublé, Frank Ocean, Pitbull, All American Rejects, Spoon, Angelique Kidjo, Ry Cooder, Brian Setzer, and Los Lobos.
2026 - 27 Performance Schedule
December 5, 2026
"SMSU Holiday Revels"
featuring the SMSU/Community Concert Band, SMSU Glee Club,
Alta Voce, Chorale, and Jazz Ensemble
Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts (at Marshall High School)
3:00 p.m.
**$5 admission charge, children under 5 years are free**
All proceeds go toward music scholarships.
Weather back-up date: December 6, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m.
December 7, 2026
"Relationship Roulette"
the program will highlight new music and standards of all styles that illustrate romantic relationships:
Don't Get Around Much Anymore by Duke Ellington
Whatever Lola Wants arr. by Jack Pleis
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free by Sting
Lonesome Lover by Max Roach
and many others...
7:30 p.m. performance are free and open to the public
in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre
March 22, 2027
SMSU Jazz Ensemble with guest trombonist, Francisco Torres
with the Yellow Medicine East High School Jazz Band
Yellow Medicine East High School
7:30 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
AND
March 23, 2027
SMSU Jazz Ensemble with Francisco Torres
with the Lakeview and the Marshall High School Jazz Bands
SMSU Fine Arts Theatre
7:30 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
TBA
SMSU Fine Arts Roundup
April 12, 2027
All-City Jazz Festival
with other jazz bands from the schools in Marshall
Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts
7:00 p.m.
For more information about the SMSU Jazz Ensemble, or to book the Jazz Ensemble for a performance, contact Dr. John Ginocchio by email at John.Ginocchio@smsu.edu or by phone at (507) 537-7209.
Last Modified: 8/11/26 2:35 PM | Website Feedback