Jazz Ensemble

The Williams Jazz Ensemble is the cornerstone of a large and vibrant community of faculty members and students interested in big band, small ensembles, and vocal combinations of jazz at the college. Kris Allen leads the Williams Jazz Ensemble.

Every year guest artists and clinicians come to campus to work with students and to perform. Past visitors have included the Branford Marsalis Quartet, The David Sanchez Quintet, Winard Harper, The Marcus Roberts Trio, John Lamb, and saxophonist Claire Daly. Guest lecturers have included Dr. Yusef Lateef, Ravi Coltrane, Dan Morgenstern, Don Sickler, Dr. Lewis Porter, and Benny Golson.

The Williams Jazz Ensemble performs on and off campus and has made appearances throughout western Massachusetts and performs in Boston and New York.

Rehearsals: Wednesday, 7:30-10:00pm

Performances

  • 6:33

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Skylark" – Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, arr. Bob Brookmeyer

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Skylark" – Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, arr. Bob Brookmeyer

    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
  • 5:27

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Pure Imagination"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Pure Imagination"

    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
  • 7:01

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Can You Help Me With This TV?"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Can You Help Me With This TV?"

    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
  • 7:17

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Tiptoe "– Thad Jones

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Tiptoe "– Thad Jones

    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
  • 9:42

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Extra Credit" - Jim McNeely

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Extra Credit" - Jim McNeely

    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
  • 11:55

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Central Park North" – Thad Jones

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Central Park North" – Thad Jones

  • 7:53

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "The Waltz You Swang For Me" – Thad Jones 2

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "The Waltz You Swang For Me" – Thad Jones 2

    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
  • 8:14

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Three and One"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Three and One"

    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
    The Williams College Department of Music presents the Williams Jazz Ensemble, featuring trumpeter Tanya Darby. The ensemble is directed by Kris Allen. May 1, 2015. Chapin Hall, Williams College.
  • 12:45

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Ahunk Ahunk" – Thad Jones

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Ahunk Ahunk" – Thad Jones

  • 9:05

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Tango For Hayley"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Tango For Hayley"

    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
  • 9:13

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "I Know, You Know"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "I Know, You Know"

    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
  • 7:56

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Dual Meaning"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Dual Meaning"

    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
  • 8:44

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Dienda"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Dienda"

    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
    From the Williams Jazz Ensemble concert, Nov.14, 2014. The Williams Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kris Allen, is the college's premier jazz group, performing works from throughout the big band canon, with a special focus on modern compositions. This concert features works for “Little Big Band.”
  • 6:56

    Benny's Tune

    Benny's Tune

    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performs with special guest musician Lionel Loueke. April 26, 2013. Chapin Hall.
    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performs with special guest musician Lionel Loueke. April 26, 2013. Chapin Hall.
  • 8:30

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Noctilucent Shift"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Noctilucent Shift"

    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performed "Noctilucent Shift" by Sara Jacovino on October 25, 2013 in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. The night's full program can be see here: http://music.williams.edu/node/1920
    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performed "Noctilucent Shift" by Sara Jacovino on October 25, 2013 in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. The night's full program can be see here: http://music.williams.edu/node/1920
  • 6:20

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "My Funny Valentine"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "My Funny Valentine"

    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performed "My Funny Valentine" by Richard Rogers, Lorenz Hart arranged by Max Seigel, on October 25, 2013 in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. The night's full program can be see here: http://music.williams.edu/node/1920
    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performed "My Funny Valentine" by Richard Rogers, Lorenz Hart arranged by Max Seigel, on October 25, 2013 in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. The night's full program can be see here: http://music.williams.edu/node/1920
  • 9:18

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Arabia"

    Williams Jazz Ensemble: "Arabia"

    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performed "Arabia" by Curtis Fuller, arranged by Chris Casey, on October 25, 2013 in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. The night's full program can be see here: http://music.williams.edu/node/1920
    The Williams Jazz Ensemble performed "Arabia" by Curtis Fuller, arranged by Chris Casey, on October 25, 2013 in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. The night's full program can be see here: http://music.williams.edu/node/1920
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