In celebration of Women’s History Month, UWM Jazz Night features several compositions by well-known composers Toshiko Akiyoshi and Maria Schneider along with vocal tributes to Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn.

The 18-member UWM Jazz Ensemble performs music written or arranged specifically for a large jazz orchestra. The repertoire includes music from Duke Ellington and Count Basie as well as contemporary composers such as Maria Schneider, Tom Matta and Bob Mintzer.

The UWM Afro-Caribbean Jazz Orchestra was formed in the Fall of 2021 to focus on the Latin and Afro-Cuban influences in jazz. The group features a Latin percussion section and performs music of composers such as Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Sonoro Poncena and Evan Linns.

UWM Combos are an essential part of the jazz performance experience and focus on standard jazz compositions with an emphasis on improvisation and small group performance techniques.

UJAY is UWM’s High School outreach ensemble that performs classic big band literature of past and present composers and arrangers.