Fall 2025 Events

The UCSB Jazz Ensemble: Celebrating the Music of Bill Holman and Jim McNeely - November 19, 2025, 7:30 PM

The University of California, Santa Barbara Jazz Ensemble explores the creative output of two recently departed jazz legends - West Coast composer/arranger Bill Holman, and East Coast based Jim McNeely, both of whom exerted immense influence on the progression of composing and arranging for large and small jazz ensemble.

Bill Holman, known as the "arranger's arranger", led a band in LA for roughly 6 decades and wrote for nearly everyone, including the Stan Kenton Band, scores of vocalists, and of course his own Bill Holman Big Band.

Jim McNeely was an influential composer who taught at New York University, and at one time led the legendary Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and was know for his progressive composing and arranging that challenged current perceptions of "jazz". 

Under the direction of Jonathan Nathan, the UCSB Jazz Ensemble will showcase both large and small group arrangements, offering an  an immersive exploration of both of these two musicians' groundbreaking musical influence, performed by some of the most talented student musicians at UCSB.

watch the video here: The UCSB Jazz Ensemble: Celebrating the Music of Bill Holman and Jim McNceely

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall, Music Building, UC Santa Barbara