Roosevelt University

Chicago College of the Performing Arts

Large Jazz Ensemble

Arranged and Conducted by Marshall Vente

 

The current edition of the LJE is a non-standard big band with 3 trumpets, 3 trombones French Horn, Tuba or bass bone; 3 saxes; Flute piano, bass, drums guitar; and, percussion.

 

Pianist, composer, arranger, Marshall Vente began as conductor in 2014 and has provided new custom arrangements for the ensemble, focusing on the landmark compositions of modern jazz.  This includes the work of composers Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Thad Jones, Roland Kirk, Billy Harper, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Betty Carter, Herbie Hancock, Billy Strayhorn and many others.  Also, Brazilian composers such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Edu Lobo, Milton Nascimento and Hermeto Pascoal are also featured.  

 

In the Fall’16 the ensemble performed and recorded a new score of all four movements of John Coltrane’s masterpiece A Love Supreme, featuring guest saxophonist Brian Gephart.  This was reprised at the 2017 Chicago Jazz Festival. In the Fall’17 the ensemble focused on Chick Corea’s music from Now He Sings, Now he Sobs, a 50-year celebration; Fall ’18 all of Miles Smiles; and Fall ’19, A Salute to Herbie Hancock, From Blue Note to Head Hunters. 

 

Other arrangers for the ensemble include the work of David Matthews and Gil Evans, both of whom were Marshall’s mentors under two consecutive Jazz Apprentice Grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts in the 1980’s.

 

The ensemble performs every semester at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, and at collegiate jazz festivals including Notre Dame, Elmhurst and the National Jazz Educator’s Network Conference. 

 

Contact Director Scott Mason for more information regarding the Jazz and Contemporary Music program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University at smason@roosevelt.edu

 

Or contact Marshall at marshallvente@comcast.net

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