The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar
The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar
The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar
Students in the University Jazz Ensemble dressed to impress for their performance of their Christmas concert, "A Big Band Christmas," on Dec. 8 in the Pottle Annex Recital Hall.

Jazz Ensemble concludes the semester with “A Big Band Christmas”

Haley Dupre, Staff Reporter • December 10, 2021

With the winter chills comes winter bells. The University Jazz Ensemble closed out its semester with a performance of their Christmas concert, “A Big Band Christmas,” directed by Michael Brothers. After...

Students in the University Jazz Ensemble rehearse for their first on-campus performance following Hurricane Ida, scheduled for Nov. 4.

Jazz ensemble to perform first show post-Hurricane Ida

Austin O'Brien, Staff Reporter • November 2, 2021

After fighting through Hurricane Ida, the 19-member University Jazz Ensemble will get the chance to perform again on campus.  The ensemble will be performing on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the...

The music department and the Hammond Rotary Club hosted “An Evening of Jazz“ in February 2020. This semester, the university's jazz bands have been rehearsing for the Bill Evans Jazz Festival, April 14-17, after the festival was canceled last year.

Bill Evans Jazz Festival returns for 20th anniversary

Brynn Lundy, Staff Reporter • April 13, 2021

The 20th anniversary of the Bill Evans Jazz Festival will commence on Wednesday, April 14 through Saturday, April 17, to showcase university student and faculty jazz performances in addition to a guest...

Phill Fest (right) rehearses with the University Jazz Ensemble on March 8, the day before their first concert of the semester, as jazz studies instructor Michael Brothers directs. Fest joined the ensemble as a guest artist for the concert. Brothers is featured on drums on Fest’s upcoming album “Cafe Fon Fon.”

Percussion instructor to be featured on upcoming album

Brynn Lundy, Staff Reporter • April 2, 2021

A member of the music faculty is featured on the upcoming album of jazz guitarist and vocalist Phill Fest. Michael Brothers, director of jazz and percussion studies, plays the drums on Fest’s fifth...

Michael Brothers instructs the University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band at one of their last in-person performances on Nov. 20, 2019. The Jazz Ensemble is live-streaming their first concert of the Spring 2021 semester on Tuesday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble welcomes guest artist for first concert

Brynn Lundy, Staff Reporter • March 5, 2021

The University Jazz Ensemble is preparing for its first concert of the semester on Tuesday, March 9 in the Pottle Annex Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Guest guitarist Phill Fest will perform alongside the...

Some members of the jazz ensemble dressed up in Christmas apparel for rehearsal. The concert will be livestreamed from KSLU’s Facebook page and will feature Christmas songs such as “Christmas Time is Here,” “Deck the Halls,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and “Jingle Bells.”

Jazz ensemble to livestream Christmas concert

Maggie Tregre, Staff Reporter • November 16, 2020

As the holiday season approaches, the university’s jazz ensemble will get into the swing of things with a big band Christmas concert. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, KSLU will stream the concert live from the...

For the Fall 2020 semester, Department of Music will continue performing following safety precautions for the COVID-19. According to Michael Brothers, there is a possibility for band members to play with masks on. "One of the initial findings that came out was playing and masking together, if you cut a slit in the mask for the wind players, it does help," said Brothers.

Music department to continue performances with modifications

Maggie Tregre, Staff Reporter • July 28, 2020

The university is now adhering to health and safety policies in an effort to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19.  The new guidelines require masks to be worn on campus at all times. In addition,...

Guest artist Steve Sigmund, who has served as lead trombonist for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 17 years, performs. The university music department partnered with the Hammond Rotary Club to host “An Evening of Jazz“ to raise funds for the university.

Jazzy evening brings university and community together

Brynn Lundy, Staff Reporter • February 18, 2020

“An Evening of Jazz” welcomed Hammond community members to raise funds and experience entertainment provided by the university’s jazz faculty and ensemble. On Sunday, Feb. 16, the Rotary Club of...

Jazz music was created as a result of the blending of different cultures and their various musical styles. A jazz band typically features a rhythm section as well as instruments like saxophones, trumpets and trombones.

A musical melting pot: Louisiana’s original art form

Maggie Tregre, Staff Reporter • October 31, 2019

Jazz music has been a part of Louisiana’s culture for over a century. Although the first jazz groups originated in New Orleans, there were many different musical influences from other regions of the...

The "Bill Evans Jazz Festival" features concerts by alumni, faculty and student ensembles. This year, the guest artist will be Pete Rodriguez.

Jazz festival approaches

Zachary Araki, Assistant Editor • April 8, 2019

The 18th annual "Bill Evans Jazz Festival" will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the "Kind of Blue" album by Miles Davis. Michael Brothers, instructor of jazz studies, percussion and drumline, described...

Michael Brothers shares over 40 years of drumming experience, along with his expertise with other percussion instruments, with his students as an instructor of jazz studies, percussion and drumline.

Sharing musical passion

Jacob Summerville, Staff Reporter • October 18, 2018

Music has been a constant in the life of Michael Brothers, instructor of jazz studies, percussion and drumline. Born and raised in San Francisco Bay, California, Brothers vaguely remembers his first...

Brad Walker, guest saxophonist, performs with the jazz ensemble at their first concert of the season.

Jazz ensemble begins performance season

Madeline Cancienne, Staff Reporter • October 3, 2018

The jazz ensemble practiced twice a week to put on its first concert of the season. The jazz ensemble performed in the Pottle Recital Hall on Monday, Oct. 1.  Many of the songs performed included...

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