The College of the Canyons jazz ensemble “Just Jazz” will be performing for the first time at the 9th annual Jazz Education Network conference in Dallas, Texas early next year.

The award-winning ensemble will join other groups in the jazz arts community to promote performance, advance education and inspire new audiences, according to a press release.

The event is the largest educational and performance conference in the global jazz community.  

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Julie Lawson, the ensemble’s director. “Being selected to be showcased at a national convention is overwhelming.”

At the conference, the “Just Jazz” band will perform a 50-minute set that will include a variety of tunes, such as songs composed by Al Jarreau, Thad Jones, Harry Connick Jr. and an Afro-Cuban arrangement of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia.”

Related: College Of The Canyons Jazz Ensemble To Perform “JAZZ IT!” Concert

The team of 13 students will also travel with a professional rhythm section: Alex Nizzoli (piano), Emilio Terranova (bass) and Brijesh Pandya (drums).

“Just Jazz” will perform on Jan. 3-7, 2018 in Dallas, Texas, but can be heard at their upcoming performance on Dec. 8 in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center lobby.

The band has performed at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, which has selected the ensemble to perform six times in the past seven years, according to the group.

“Monterey is a competitive festival and ‘Just Jazz’ has walked away with five awards over the years,” said Lawson.

Supporters who want to make a donation toward the group’s trip to the national conference can do so through the COC Foundation website.

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