There is a long history of student jazz bands at the University. They went by a variety of names, and were extracurricular. One of the first important ones was The Southern Collegians, formed in 1923. A group by the same name was organized in 1950 by Brian Shanley '55. In the late 70s it was called the Jazz Ensemble. By 1980 it had become the Generals of Jazz, before being reformed by professor Robert Stewart as the Jazz Lab Band in 1983. It even was called The W&L Swing for two years starting in 2011

The University Jazz Ensemble, the current incarnation, was founded in 1996 by Terry Vosbein as an academic course within the Department of Music. For over a quarter of a century the band has performed annual concerts on campus, showcasing the many talented students that have passed through its ranks. Additionally, they have performed in cities such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Atlanta, and have toured Russia, China, and Greece.

This website is a work in progress. Stay tuned for updates. Let us know if you see any errors or have any additional information or memorabilia.

Each year an award is given for “Outstanding Contributions to the Ensemble.”

2001 – Anthony Conrad Allen
2005 – Amanda Nicole Hughes
2006 – Amanda Nicole Hughes
2009 – Caitlin Marie Wilson
2010 – John Knowlton Sorock
2011 – Hobart Amory King & Robert Alexander Wason
2013 – John Blacksher Burks
2014 – Andrew James Conlon
2015 – Jack B. Powers
2016 – Joseph Wu
2017 – John McMann Blain
2018 – Faith Elizabeth Pinho
2019 – Zijie Wen
2020 – Simon Marland
2021 – Leslie Sparling & Truman Chancy
2022 – Leslie Sparling & Truman Chancy
2023 – Annalisa S Waddick & Michael J Allen