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); and Kate Skinner, voice & piano (2025).
This year the Jazz Ensemble will host.
Mike Dana, Guitar -- Jazz Residency -- March 23 & 24, 2026
Mike Dana attended California State University, Fresno, where he earned a Bachelors degree in 1975, and a Masters degree in 1989 (both in music/composition.) He also attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and studied privately with jazz guitar legend Joe Pass. He is currently working on his doctoral dissertation from Boston University.
In 1990, he became Director of Jazz Studies at Fresno City College. Under his direction, the jazz program at FCC has developed a national reputation. The Jazz Ensemble consistently earns top honors at major jazz festivals, and many students have gone on to complete their degrees at institutions like Cal Arts, Berklee, University of North Texas, and USC. Others have gone on to careers as professional musicians. Mike continues to be in demand as a guest artist, clinician, and teacher for jazz festivals and summer workshops throughout the western U.S.
In the fall of 2004, Mike founded (and serves as musical director of) the Fresno Jazz Composers Orchestra, an ensemble made up of the finest jazz musicians and educators in central California. The JCO was selected to perform at the International Association for Jazz Education conference in January 2005.
Mike has extensive experience as a studio guitarist, arranger, composer, and producer. As a session guitarist, he has played on hundreds of albums, and produced dozens more. He continues to be active as a performer, leading his own jazz trio and quartet. His credits include performances with Cannonball Adderley, Gary Burton, Clark Terry, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, Ernie Watts, Arturo Sandoval, and many others.
Mike has composed music for orchestra, chamber ensembles, musical theater, choir, TV commercials, video games, and of course jazz. His compositions for jazz ensemble have received excellent reviews and are performed throughout the world. These are published by Kendor, UNC Jazz Press, Heritage Press, and Walrus Publishing.
2025 - 26 Performance Schedule
December 6, 2025
"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 7, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m.
December 8, 2025
"Birds of a Feather"
the program will feature a variety of avian inspired works:
Flight of the Foo Bird by Neal Hefti
Ornithology by Charlie Parker
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square by Manning Sherwin
Bye Bye Blackbird by Ray Henderson
and many others...
7:30 p.m. performance are free and open to the public
in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre
March 23, 2026
SMSU Jazz Ensemble with guest guitarist, Mike Dana
with the Murray County Central High School Jazz Band
Murray County Central High School
7:30 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
AND
March 24, 2026
SMSU Jazz Ensemble with Mike Dana
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
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.
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