THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025
A semester of hard work for the members of the Valley Jazz Orchestra always ends with a phenomenal concert, and this season was no exception. The set primarily featured tunes composed by LVC’s own Dr. Justin Morell, along with the classic “If Ever I Would Leave You,” arranged by Alan Ferber, the LVC Jazz Program’s guest artist from Spring 2025.
While playing music that was composed by the co-director of the band might make some matters simpler for an ensemble, as Dr. Morell sometimes suggests, the Valley Jazz Orchestra’s repertoire is not merely a choice of convenience. Dr. Justin Morell’s music is an important voice in today’s ever-evolving jazz world, with even the vastly experienced and versatile jazz drummer John Riley remarking on the complexity and creative value of these compositions as he played alongside the Valley Jazz Orchestra.
Success in the music industry is all about who you know, and the students of the Valley Jazz Orchestra are now able to say that they’ve performed alongside someone who has played with jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Bob Mintzer, John Scofield, Kenny Werner, and more.
For more information about guest artist John Riley, check out his website here.
Exciting opportunities like this happen every semester for those involved with the Jazz Program at LVC, and those interested can look forward to performances by Aaron Parks and Ingrid Jenson next semester. All of this is made possible by the generosity of donors investing in the future of jazz through the Wengert Jazz Concert Series and the Tom Strohman Jazz Fund. For more information, check out our page about supporting jazz at LVC.
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