"For me, the Coast was a refuge from the rigidity and pressure of academia, where creativity, freedom, and individual voice could flourish."  —Mali Obomsawin '18

Support the Coast

The Coast Jazz Ensemble at Dartmouth is a musical collective that is centered around performing Jazz, Black American Music, and Creative music to the Upper Valley and beyond. Working with a wide variety of artists, styles, and periods in the jazz tradition, the Coast strives to be a community centered on the cultivation of joy and sonic expression. Whether playing classic big band pieces or more contemporary creations, the Coast consistently blends past and present traditions into every note.

In its rich history, the ensemble has hosted a diversity of guest artists, from jazz legends like Max Roach, Dexter Gordon and Clark Terry; to leaders of the avant-garde like Sun Ra, Don Cherry and Lester Bowie; to Latin jazz masters like Eddie Palmieri and Jerry and Andy Gonzales. This tradition continues with visits from some of the most acclaimed figures in today's creative music scene such as Nicole Mitchell, Kris Davis and Mary Halvorson.

The Coast's repertoire draws not only from big band music's greatest hits but from the broader history of improvised music. Pieces from the too-often overlooked heroes of composition like Billy Strayhorn, Mary Lou Williams, and Thad Jones, as well as frequent collaborations with celebrated contemporary musicians and rising stars, frequently take center stage at the ensemble's concerts. Each spring, the Coast's reach extends even farther, with an eclectic 'senior feature' repertoire chosen by its graduating members. No matter the piece, the Coast's unique and daring spirit shines through, drawing at once from Duke Ellington and Anthony Braxton—and a little of everything in between and beyond.

Coast Jazz Auditions
The Coast Jazz Orchestra is open to anyone and any instrument by audition. Students don't have to be a music major or minor, and in addition to the jazz orchestra, the Music Department has several active smaller combos, so hopefully all students can find a context to keep playing that fits their interests and commitment level.

Coast auditions are very low key, more a get-to-know you session to hear where your playing is at and what you're interested in. I'll ask you to bring something you like to play so I can hear you, I might ask you to sight read or improvise a little bit, but mostly curious to hear what you're listening to, what you enjoy about music, what you're looking for in your time in college.

We do our best to find a playing opportunity for everyone interested in jazz, black creative music, and improvisation: whether it is the full big-band, combos, private lessons (which are free for all students, major or not), or some combination of the above. The full jazz orchestra rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:30-6:30pm, and there are usually combo rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

Join Coast Jazz Orchestra
Questions about joining? Please email Taylor Ho Bynum , Director of the Coast Jazz Orchestra

Email the Director