Under the direction of Dr. Michael Shults, University of Memphis Jazz Combo 1 is the top performing small group jazz ensemble at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. The all-star combo specializes in compositions by post-bop jazz masters including Wayne Shorter, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett, and Memphis’s own James Williams.
Pianist and composer Charu Suri treads fearlessly between genres, pulling global influences that range from the mood-anchoring Indian ragas, Sufi music, to the trio. Her ground-breaking albums, The Book of Ragas, and its sequel, The Book of Ragas vol. 2 have often elicited the response, “I’ve never heard this type of sound before.”
Le Tumulte Noir is a Memphis-based jazz group that specializes in music from the 1930s and 1940s in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stéphanne Grappelli (often referred to as “gypsy jazz”). The group is celebrating its 10th year and features John Bass, Sylvester Sample, Gary Topper, Clint Wagner, and John Whittemore.
The award-winning Memphis Central High School Jazz Band has been in existence for many years and has produced many talented musicians such as pianist James Williams, saxophonist Gary Topper, pianist Dr. Ashley Davis.
