Jazz Trumpeter Dr. Joseph M. Pisano has led the College Jazz Ensemble since 1996 and assumed the responsibility of the full jazz program in 2007. The college jazz ensemble program includes an 18 piece stage band, 18 piece jazz ensemble, jazz sextet, and smaller combos. The Stage Band plays Big Band Standards and Show Pieces. The Jazz Ensemble also performs Big Band pieces but also plays more modern jazz arrangements and frequently plays other jazz styles such as fusion, jazz-rock, Latin, salsa, and others.
The Jazz Ensembles perform multiple concerts both on and off of campus and have given special performances all over the East Coast including: Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Walt Disney World. In addition, the ensembles frequently perform as the “honor’s band” at many local and regional high school festivals.