Jazz at Gustavus

Jazz band at Crooners

Jazz Studies

The jazz program at Gustavus Adolphus College is a welcoming community for musicians of all levels. Featuring two big bands and a variety of small combos, the program provides various opportunities for you to develop your skills, work with guest artists, and explore your passion for jazz.

The student-run jazz club organizes jam sessions and coordinates trips to hear jazz professionals perform live. Whether you're an enthusiastic jazz musician or new to the genre, there's a place for you in the jazz program.

Trombone solo in Jazz band

Gustavus Jazz Ensemble

The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble is the premier 21-member concert jazz ensemble at Gustavus Adolphus College. In addition to the semester concerts and on-campus events, the group tours annually and often performs at regional jazz festivals. Recent destinations have included Greece, Macedonia, Florida, California, Colorado, and Texas in addition to the Eau Claire and Elmhurst Jazz Festivals. The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble will be traveilng to Scotland & Ireland in May of 2025 alongside the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra. 
 

Dave Stamps, director

Rehearsals: Tuesday & Thursday 3:30–5:30 PM

View Gustavus Jazz Ensemble

Jazz Lab Collective

The Jazz Lab Collective performs traditional and contemporary big band repertoire in concert and at events on campus throughout the academic year. All students interested in playing or learning to play jazz are encouraged to audition.


Rehearsals: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 2:15–3:20 PM
JC Sanford, director

Jazz Area Faculty

  • Dave Stamps - Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, Recording Techniques, Music Industry & Entrepreneurship, and program director for Arts Entrepreneurship.
  • JC Sanford - Jazz Lab Collective, trombone, and music theory
  • Jonathan Brandt - trumpet
  • John Engebretson - saxophone
  • Rolf Erdahl - bass
  • Johnathan Moeller - guitar
  • Yumiko Oshima-Ryan - piano
  • Adam Rappel - drums

Reach far. Dig deep.
Go Beyond.