University of Texas Jazz

04/17/2026

Tickets still available for our show next Tuesday at Parker Jazz Club!!

The University of Texas Jazz Orchestra led by Diego Rivera! The University of Texas Jazz Orchestra is the premier jazz ensemble of the Butler School of Music. Grounded in the jazz tradition, the ensemble prepares students for professional careers as creative and versatile musicians. Its repertoire i...

03/27/2026

Next week, the University of Texas Jazz Studies program welcomes the 2026 Longhorn Jazz Festival guest artist, Melissa Aldana, to campus. On Friday, April 3rd, the UT Jazz Faculty will perform with Ms. Aldana at Monks Jazz Club. Get your tickets now for this very special performance!
https://tickets.monksjazz.com/shows/10891/?date=2026-04-03&fbclid=IwdGRleAQy1ftleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeYZJwUeWjX1JumrVpkWqbz2sukeOIObrVLTw33rk_RrAJZPVVSma0StInzRg_aem_3fAOaZ0wsWsY_KmqPsfgNw

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for UT Jazz Faculty feat. Melissa Aldana! Melissa Aldana – Saxophone, Guest Artist UT Jazz Studies Faculty: Diego Rivera – Saxophone, Artistic Director Michael Sailors – Trumpet Paul Deemer – Trombone Jacob Wise – Guitar Ross Margitza .....

02/16/2026

Looking forward to welcoming the great Peter Bernstein to campus this week!!!

01/15/2026

In this week's episode, we talk to Director of Jazz Studies Diego Rivera about being accepted to the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship. We discuss the history of the Jazz Championship and what the Jazz Orchestra will encounter when they arrive in New York to compete.

In this episode, we talk to Director of Jazz Studies Diego Rivera about being accepted to the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship. We discuss the hist...

10/13/2025

This weekend was full of energy and swinging vibes! Huge thanks to the guest artist Etienne Charles for bringing such an amazing musical experience to Butler. And a special shoutout to student Aidan Berg for making it happen with his 2025 Rainwater grant.

07/14/2025

Congratulations to UT Alum, Altin Brennan Sencalar on his recent appointment!!

We're very excited to welcome trombonist Altin Sencalar to the Thompson Jazz faculty at CU Boulder College of Music. Voted a "rising star" on the 2025 Downbeat critics Poll - Great things ahead for Thompson Jazz and the Colorado scene!!!!

04/27/2025

We’re heading to Japan this summer!!! Learn more about it here: https://music.utexas.edu/news/university-texas-jazz-orchestra-heads-japan-2025-tour

04/11/2025

We’re excited to perform one of Duke Ellington’s masterpieces, “Black, Brown & Beige” at Parker Jazz Club on April 22!! Join us on our final performance before we head to Japan this summer!!! https://parker-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/6480/?date=2025-04-22

03/26/2025

We're excited to host our 1st Essentially Ellington Regional Festival at the University of Texas at Austin next Saturday, April 5, at the Butler School of Music. We also incredibly fortunate to welcome the great Lewis Nash as our featured Guest Artist. The festival is open to the public and will feature 20 phenomenal bands. Check it out!!

11/11/2024

Exciting week ahead at UT-Austin for Jazz Studies:
Tuesday 11/12 - AIME & Super Sax Ensemble
(Recital Studio 7:30pm - FREE)
https://music.utexas.edu/events/4622-alternative-improvisation-music-ensemble
Wednesday 11/13 - UT Jazz Combo's wsg/ Michael Dease
(The Loft @ Mozart's Coffee Roasters 7-9pm - FREE)
https://mozartscoffee.com/pages/events
Friday 11/15 - UT Jazz Orchestras wsg/ Michael Dease
(Bates Recital Hall 7:30-9:30pm)
https://music.utexas.edu/events/4624-jazz-orchestras

Diego Rivera, director of Jazz OrchestraMichael Sailors, director of Jazz EnsembleThis event will be streamedWorks by Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Michael Dease, +more...

10/05/2024

We are honored to host the great Branford Marsalis at the Butler School of Music this coming week!! Our students will work with him for 3 days in preparation for our concert featuring Mr. Marsalis as a guest with the University of Texas Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and newly formed Jazz Band. The concert will be in Bates Recital Hall and presented by Texas Performing Arts.
Looking forward to an inspiring week!!

Branford Marsalis continues to thrill audiences around the world while racking up achievements, even after four decades in the international spotlight. From his initial recognition as a young jazz lion, he has expanded his vision as an instrumentalist, composer, and educator, crossing stylistic boun...