Tom Washatka: saxophones, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet
John Daniel: trumpet and flugelhorn
Larry Darling: trumpet, flugelhorn and keyboards
Nick Keelan: trombone and euphonium
Fred Sturm: valve trombone and keyboards
Marty Erickson: tuba
Lee Tomboulian: piano
Mark Urness: acoustic doublebass and electric bass
Dane Richeson: drums and percussion
The Lawrence Faculty Jazz Group is a 9-member artistic collective. Every
member of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music faculty and staff
supporting the jazz curriculum through ensembles, courses, and applied study
is represented in this unique faculty group.
The Faculty Jazz Group provides artistic models for Lawrence students, serves regional school musicians and educators, and fosters jazz community outreach experiences throughout the Midwest. In addition to Lawrence campus performances, the ensemble charter includes community artist series appearances, educational clinics and concerts at jazz festivals, and workshops at state and regional schools.
In lieu of a fixed ensemble instrumentation, the Faculty Jazz Group uses varying orchestrations ranging from 2 to 9 players. The ensemble can be augmented with professional guests, regional artists, other Conservatory faculty members, and Lawrence students. Repertoire is exclusively composed or arranged by members of the ensemble, and performances typically include a wholesome mix of improvisation-based works ranging from classic jazz to world music to free/interactive playing.
In 2005, a sextet from within the Faculty Jazz Group presented THERMO: The Music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, performing works composed by Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and Cedar Walton. In September 2006, nine members of the FJG created the historic Miles Davis Birth of the Cool recording with original compositions by Davis, Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis, and John Carisi.
Since the group's inception in 2002, they have performed with such jazz luminaries as Benny Golson, Kenny Wheeler, Marc Johnson, Ben Monder, Carolyn Leonhart, Wayne Escoffery, Joe Locke, and Bill Carrothers.