Jazz at Huston-Tillotson University

On February 28, 2026 the b7 installment of HTJazz Combo got a chance to get out in the community and play for the Speakeasy portion of the SAFE Alliance Gala 2026.

SAFE events raise awareness, educate the public, recognize community supporters, and raise critical funds to support survivors of abuse. For more on how you can support the SAFE Alliance visit https://www.safeaustin.org.

Thank you for allowing us to join the cause!

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Congratulations to our Jazz Faculty for putting on a wonderful performance at the Elephant Room on HAAM Day!! They were SWINGIN! We couldn’t ask for a better group of mentors to lead our students!

Prof. Grant Teeple - 🎷
Prof. Lee Sparky Thomason - 🎺
Prof. Andre Hayward - 🦴
Prof. Eric S. Reed - 🎹
Dr. Marco Santos - 🎸
Dr. Jeremy George - 🎻
Junior Music Ed Major - Dorian Verner - 🥁

The HT Jazz Orchestra & Faculty spring concert here in Austin. Next stop Norfolk, Virginia as we compete in the and Wynton Marsalis HBCU competition. We are poised and ready to represent Huston-Tillotson University and Austin, TX in a few weeks as part of the Black, Brown, and Beige Initiative!

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TONIGHT!!! Come out and support our Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Faculty at Monk’s Lounge here in Austin, TX. Show starts at 8pm. Grab Your Tickets for a great night of Jazz.

The first half will feature our wonderful students and the second half will feature our Jazz Faculty.

🎻 Dr. Jeremy George
🎸 Dr. Brian Pardo
🎹 Prof. Eric Scott Reed
🥁 Prof. Daniel Dufour
🦴 Prof. Andre Hayward
🎺 Prof. Lee “Sparky” Thomason
🎷 Prof. Grant Teeple

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Austin Jazz Society Hall of Fame Awards Pt. 2

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Austin Jazz Society Hall of Fame Awards Pt. I

On Friday, we opened the AJS Hall of Fame Awards, featuring 2018 inductee Mrs. . This year's awards show was extremely special to Huston-Tillotson University because we honored two of our own.

Dr. James Polk left an indelible mark on our institution, the city of Austin, and the international Jazz community. We had a chance to visit with his family and express our appreciation.

We also got a chance to witness 's induction into the AJS Hall of Fame! Hearing her story about her arrival at HT and her experiences on campus reaffirms that we are truly “Descendants of Swing.”

Dr. James Polk, Mrs. Carmen Bradford, and a host of other alumni have connected to a larger cultural movement; we are forever grateful.

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Special Thanks to Mike Mordecai and the .

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HT Jazz Quartet out gigging at the Groundbreaking Ceremony: I-35 Capital Express Central Project.

Jordon Clark, double bass
Makale Edwards, sax
Dillon Brouse, drums
Olivier Mixtur, guitar

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We just wrapped up a 3-Day Residency & Concert under the Black, Brown, & Beige initiative within the . Huge thanks to , , and for spending time with our HT Jazz Orchestra and a host of jazz combos. Looking forward to our trip to Norfolk, VA in April 2025.

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Yesterday one of the HT Jazz Combos participated in the 14th Annual Eastside Kings Festival. The Rosewood Soul Series was a great afternoon of local Austin groups bringing the music to the city.

Eastside Kings missions is to preserve and promote
the cultural heritage of African American Blues, Jazz, and Gospel.

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Come out and support the HT Jazz Orchestra feat. Pamela Hart under the leadership of Director of Jazz Studies Dr. Jeremy George.

The concert is Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 7pm.
Free and open to the public.

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