Fisk University Music Department

Shout out to the Fisk University Band, Fisk Jazz Ensemble and Fisk University Choir for wonderful performances all around for the Fisk University Music Department Ensembles Showcase Concert last night. It was a fantastic event and I hope that future concerts will be at least as good moving forward. A big thank you to everyone who made it successful, including the ensemble directors, music students, audience members and all the behind the scenes people. FISK FOREVER!!

Good evening! The Fisk University Music Department Ensembles Showcase Concert that was supposed to take place last night will now be held tomorrow, Thursday Evening at 7:30 p.m., Fisk Memorial Chapel, featuring the Fisk University Band, Jazz Ensemble and University Choir.

This is just a reminder for this THURSDAY MARCH 28th 8:00pm in the Fisk Memorial Chapel we have a guest artist recital, featuring Jonathan Warburton on bass trombone with myself on piano.

It'll be a great show - bring your friends! See you all there (Music Majors are required to attend)!
Dr. Jacklin

This recital includes the Fisk premiere of my composition BORDERING, PLUS ONE (2022) bass trombone and piano.

I learned yesterday that Jordan Kelley, alto saxophone received an Outstanding Soloist Award and the Fisk Jazz Ensemble Rhythm Section received an Outstanding Section Award for the Louis Armstrong HBCU Jazz Festival at Tennessee St. Univ. on April 15, 2023. Congratulations!!

We are so excited to announce the winner of Monterey Jazz Festival's inaugural HBCU Jazz Combo Challenge!

Congratulations to the North Carolina Central University Jazz Combo I from Durham, North Carolina. North Carolina Central University Jazz Combo I will perform live at the 66th Monterey Jazz Festival on Sunday, September 24.

Honorable Mentions went to jazz combos from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and Fisk University Music Department in Nashville, Tennessee. Well done!

“A big congratulations and thank you to all the universities and talented students that participated in this year’s inaugural HBCU Jazz Combo Challenge. We encourage other HBCUs to participate in next year’s challenge. Meanwhile, we look forward to welcoming NCCU to the 66th Monterey Jazz Festival and are pleased to present this opportunity to be showcased on a world stage and engage with and learn from legendary jazz artists,” says Colleen Bailey, Monterey Jazz Festival’s Executive Director.

Good afternoon! During Spring Semester 2023, Fisk Jazz Ensemble has participated in 2 judged jazz festivals, including the Monterey Jazz Festival HBCU Challenge and the Louis Armstrong HBCU Jazz Festival at Tennessee State University. I'm glad to announce that FJE received an Honorable Mention for the Monterey Jazz Festival and 3rd place award for the Louis Armstrong HBCU Jazz Festival at Tennessee State University. I'm so proud of this group!

I'm sorry for the short notice; nonetheless, please come out and support my newest Fisk University Music Department colleague Dr. Brendan Jacklin in his Fisk Debut Recital this evening, Thursday, February 16, 2023, 7 p.m., Appleton Room, Jubilee Hall, Fisk University.

My heart is quite heavy now as Dr. Paul T. Kwami, my immediate supervisor and Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers (TM) transitioned yesterday. I first met Dr. Kwami in 1986 when I first began working on my Master of Music Degree in Composition at Western Michigan University. Needless to say, he was instrumental in my hire at Fisk University in 2003. Paul was not only a wonderful friend but a great musician, teacher and scholar. RIH, Paul T. Kwami.