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Studio Jazz Ensemble
KC Manji, Music Director
Dirk Fischer, Co - Director
The COC Studio Jazz Ensemble is a contemporary big band with roots in the "Swing" era, the "Latin" dimension, funky jazz and ballroom dancing with overall musicianship as it's emphasis.
The Afternoon Studio Jazz Ensemble/lab band serves as learning vehicle for students of all ages and abilities wishing to learn basic techniques and concepts of jazz performance. Instrumentation is open and singers are welcome.
Performances include specially prepared arrangements of updated classics and vocals. Also featured are some of the more musical pop-rock hits. Currently the group's heavy SWING arrangements are favorites in the Santa Clarita and Simi Valleys. Arranger-composer Dirk Fischer writes most of the special material that the band performs.
In 2005, KC Manji assumed leadership of the ensemble and has continued in the tradition of providing excellent big band jazz music in the Santa Clarita Valley. Most recently she took the Jazz Ensemble to the Reno Jazz Festival and the Coronado Jazz Festival where the band received First Place in the college level division. The band has also been invited to perform at many community affairs including New Year's Eve festivities, private parties and receptions, elementary, middle & high school performances, retirement facilities, business openings, and senior centers. Manji has introduced a wider variety of contemporary jazz literature to the ensemble and brought in well known jazz-recording artists such as Carol Kaye to perform with the band.
For almost thirty years, under Fischer's direction, the COC Studio Jazz Ensemble has been a popular attraction at many community events, performing for the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce's "Frantic Follies", St. Clare's annual BBQ (our 18th year), "Noon Concerts" for the City of Santa Clarita, The Newhall Historical Society, The Santa Clarita Civic Assoc., The U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancing Assoc., Old Town Newhall Street Fair and many other events. The COC Ensemble has been in the forefront of jazz education in Santa Clarita since it inherited the baton from pioneer jazz educator R.K. Downs in the early years of our college's history.
Check our calendar
for COC concert information.
If you are interested in joining a jazz ensemble or for more information, please call:
KC Manji
(661)362-5913
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