If you have a love for jazz music or want to give it a try for the first time, Jazz Band is a welcoming, no-pressure environment to grow your musical jazzy-ness. We are always open for new members, so feel free to come along and give us a try. Jazz band is a fun way to meet a friendly community and good study break.

Main band

Our main band has typically 30-45 members regularly playing and performing in at least three concerts spread out over the academic year. We play a range of genres: from stank funk to old timey swing with all the groovin’ jazz and blues in between. We run fun, relaxed, weekly rehearsals in the Plant Pot (SUSU, building 42, level 3) on Wednesdays @ 7:30-9:30pm run by our talented Musical Director, Kenneth Leung, aided by up to two auditioned (student) assistant Musical Directors. 

All musical abilities are welcomed, with opportunities for soloing to those who are keen.

Typical instruments:

• Horns: (alto, tenor, baritone) Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones
• Rhythm: Drum kit, Percussion, Guitar, Bass, Keys
• Vocals
• If you have another instrument, please enquire!

Previous rep:

• Jazz standards: Birdland, Chameleon, Caravan, Children of Sanchez
• Pop covers: Africa, Aja, the Incredits (from the Incredibles), Feeling Good
• Funky stuff: Cold duck time, Pick up the pieces, Give up the Funk

Jams Group

Alongside Wednesday big band rehearsals, SUJB offer weekly small jazz jam group sessions on Sundays @ 2-5pm (also in the Plant Pot), creating a vibrant, student-led group that experiment with all sorts of musical styles for all abilities

Jams offers a way to be more immersed in the Southampton Jazz Scene - showcasing our work at local jazz club events, jumping in at local jam sessions and performing in our own gigs around Southampton. 

Previously we have played for society winter balls, opened for the Main Band, the annual Boldrewood campus Engineering Design Show and plenty more…

Whether you want to shred some tricky licks and perform all over Southampton or whether you want to vibe out playing jazzy takes on pop songs, Jams has it all.

Typical Instruments:

• Open to all horns (typically trumpets, trombones, saxophones, but open to all)
• Rhythm section (Drum kit, Bass, Guitar, Keys, Percussion)
• Singers

Previous rep:

• Funky takes on pop and rock songs such as September, Valerie, Beggin’, Locked out of heaven
• Some more traditional jazz such as Mr PC, Take the A Train, Round Midnight, A night in Tunisia
• More experimental advanced funk: Snarky Puppy, Bomb-omb battlefield, Lucky Chops

Socials

We always have a chill social after rehearsals at the Stag’s pub nearby. Other socials we have run in the past include:

• The annual May Ball!
• Pub crawls
• A Pokemon gym challenge
• Cheese and wine nights

Socials often collaborate with other music societies, including our “sister” band, Concert Band. 

The biggest event in our social calendar is tour! This happens every Easter break where we go to an exotic destination, play jazz, and be tourists. Recent tour destinations include: Czechia, Germany and Belgium.

Find out more on our website: jazzband.susu.org, or alternatively email us at sujazzband1@gmail.com or find us on Instagram! 

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The Committee

All clubs and societies within the Students' Union are run entirely by students. The student committee for Jazz Band this year are: