Howard University Department of Music

First Day of Classes
Spring 2025

Congratulations to Professor Fred Irby, III, on receiving the prestigious Legend of Jazz Education Award at the JEN Conference held last night in Atlanta, Georgia. We are immensely proud of his unwavering dedication to promoting jazz through the Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE) and his impactful contributions to jazz education. Fred Irby III Howard University Jazz Ensemble - HUJE

Howard University

The ensemble will be performing this evening at the JEN conference in Atlanta, Ga.

🎶✨ **Exciting News!** ✨🎶

Afro Blue, Howard University's premier vocal jazz ensemble, is taking the stage at the **Jazz Educators Network (JEN) Annual Conference** in Atlanta, Georgia, this January! 🌟🎤

This is a tremendous opportunity for our talented students to showcase their artistry and represent **Howard University's Department of Music** with pride. The JEN conference is a global celebration of jazz, bringing together educators, students, and world-class performers—and Afro Blue is ready to shine!

Join us in celebrating this major achievement and cheer on our students as they continue to set the standard in vocal jazz! 🎵

📸 Stay tuned for updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and performance highlights!

Let’s finish this semester strong!
Best of luck on your finals.

Jazz Choir Concert this Tuesday - Nov. 26, 2024! It's going to be REALLY good! Free admission. Come join us at 7:00 p.m. Bring your relatives who are here for Thanksgiving. Afro Blue, HU Jazz Singers, and SAASy! Also featuring Cyrus Chestnut - piano, Herman Burney, Jr. - bass, and Kelton Norris - drums. (psst - Afro Blue will give a preview of their JEN Conference program)

Howard University’s Jazz Ensemble (HUJE) performed with Louis Hayes, a true jazz icon and one of the most influential drummers in the history of the genre! With a career spanning over six decades, Louis Hayes has played alongside legends like Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Peterson, and John Coltrane, shaping the sound of hard bop and beyond.

Congratulations Professor Irby!

We are pleased to announce that he will be honored with the prestigious 2025 LeJENds Jazz Education Award by the Jazz Education Network. This recognition will be presented during the JEN Annual Conference on January 9, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. This award celebrates his exceptional contributions to jazz education and his lasting impact on the jazz community.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

Congratulations to Christie Dashiell!
We are so proud of you!!!!

Many thanks from the alumnae and current members of the Sigma Alpha Iota, Delta Nu Chapter to all who participated in, provided help for, attended, watched online and/or sent well wishes for the jam session in honor of Ellisha McKinney Teapot last Sunday. You helped to make it a beautiful occasion!

Welcome Home Bison!
Celebrating 100 Years of Homecoming!