Jordan Jazz
The history of vocal jazz at Butler University is rich and
far-reaching. Jordan Jazz' roots can be traced back as far as the
1960s, when the Butler "Swing choir" performed both vocal jazz and
show choirs repertoire. However, long before Jordan Jazz was a
mainstay on the Clowes Hall Stage, even before Clowes Memorial Hall
existed, The Four Freshmen were actually music majors at Butler in
1947. These four students never became sophomores! In 1948, they
left Butler University to sing jazz under the tutelage of Stan
Kenton and his orchestra. The rest is history, which you can read
about at www.amdest.com/stars/freshmen.html.
Under Dr. Brimmer's leadership since 1994, Jordan Jazz (AKA
"JJ") promotes vocal jazz awareness, education, and entertainment.
Membership in Jordan Jazz is open to all Butler students through
annual spring auditions. JJ works with Clowes Memorial Hall to
co-host such artists as The Four Freshmen, The Real Group from
Stockholm, Sweden, and the gospel groups Take 6 and Mighty Clouds
of Joy. Collaborating with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra,
Jordan Jazz worked with jazz legends Clio Lane, John Dankworth and
Marvin Hamlisch. JJ has also worked with Manhattan Transfer,
Rockapella, New York Voices, Bobby McFerrin and Elvis Costello. JJ
performs regionally and nationally, most recently in the Ocho Rios
International Jazz Festival in Jamaica, with the University Choir
at the University of the West Indies, aboard a cruise and in
various countries throughout the West Indies. Jordan Jazz is
honored to represent the USA at the Pre-Olympic Arts Festival in
China and at the Hong Kong Choral Jazz Festival in July, 2008.
Upcoming performances which are open to the public include
Sweet Jazz Cabarets (with the Butler Jazz Bands and guest
director Dr. Ron McCurdy) on March 28-29 in the Grand Ballroom of
the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral, throughout China during
their Pre-Olympic Arts Festival, and at the Hong Kong
Choral Jazz Festival July 2-16, 2008. Closer to home; please
look for Jordan Jazz as the hosts and headline performers for
Butler's Vocal Jazz Fest '08 this fall at Clowes Memorial
Hall on Butler University's campus.
For booking information, please contact Dr. Tim
Brimmer, Director of Choral Jazz Activities at Butler
University's School of Music by email at tbrimmer@butler.edu.
Learn more about jazz
studies at Butler University (PDF).