Concert Program
Large Ensemble Concert Series
NIU Jazz Ensemble
Rodrigo Villanueva Conroy, Jazz Ensemble Dinner
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Boutell Memorial Concert Hall
| Isfahan | Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arr. Frank Mantooth |
| Featuring Wilson Kierce on piano; Clark Bennett on trombone; Amare Bigham on alto saxophone; Brett Dougherty on acoustic bass | |
| Tiptoe | Composed and arranged by Thad Jones |
| Featuring Justin Palad on trumpet; Wilson Kierce on piano; Clark Bennett on trombone; Amare Bigham on soprano saxophone | |
| Again and Again | Composed and arranged by Benny Carter |
| Featuring Amare Bigham on alto saxophone; Wilson Kierce on piano; Brett Dougherty on bass | |
| Skylark | Hoagy Carmichael arr. Bob Brookmeyer |
| Featuring Amare Bigham on alto saxophone | |
| Tijuca | Randy Brecker arr. Mike Crotty |
| Featuring Wilson Kierce on piano; Diego García-Barranco on trombone; Ángel Salas Marcano on flute; Amare Bigham on alto saxophone; Brett Dougherty on bass |
|
| The Peacocks | Jimmy Rowles arr. Bill Holman |
| Featuring Frederick Melki on baritone saxophone; Wilson Kierce on piano |
|
| Big Swing Face | Composed and arranged by Bill Potts |
| Featuring Wilson Kierce on piano; Amare Bigham on alto saxophone; Brett Dougherty on bass; Bashiru Green on trumpet; Jonathan Arroyo on guitar |
|
| Libertango | Astor Piazzolla arr. Fred Strum |
| Featuring Ángel Salas Marcano on flute; Amare Bigham on alto saxophone |
|
Rosters
NIU Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones:
Alto 1 and Soprano Saxophone: Amare Bigham
Alto 2: Dylan Preston
Tenor 1: Jovany López
Tenor 2 and Soprano Saxophone: Diego Arroyo
Bari: Fred Melki
Flute: Ángel Salas Marcano
Trumpets:
1- Justin Palad
2- Zinnia Wedige
3- Duke Allen
4- Fernando Garduno-Cadena
5- Bashiru Green
Trombones:
1- Clark Bennett
2- Kennedy Randolph
3- Jeremy Fort
4- Diego Garcia-Barranco
Rhythm Section:
Piano: Wilson Kierce
Guitar: Jonathan Arroyo
Acoustic and Electric Bass: Brett Dougherty
Drums: Caleb Haynes
Percussion/Drums: Cameron Neis
Tickets
Tickets for School of Music concerts are available online only. There are prices for adults, seniors, faculty and staff and non-NIU students. NIU students are admitted free of charge to all performances with pre-reserved tickets. Most recitals are not ticketed.
Livestream
Most NIU concerts and recitals are available to watch on our livestream.
Upcoming Events
The NIU College of Visual and Performing arts puts on more than 200 live performances and exhibitions every year. See what’s coming up next in the School of Music, School of Art and Design, School of Theatre and Dance and the NIU Art Museum.