“Jazz at the Nest” to feature world premiere, as AUJO makes 2024-25 debut on Oct. 22

ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will make its 2024-25 debut on Tuesday, Oct. 22, with a “Jazz at the Nest” performance. The 20-member ensemble will play a free concert at the Eagle’s Nest inside the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Scott Garlock, professor of music, the award-winning AUJO will present a world premiere, commissioned by AUJO/Knox College Jazz Ensemble in memory of Jorge Prats. The beloved Prats was a longtime professor and soccer coach at Knox who organized numerous overseas trips and performances in Spain that benefitted students at both Ashland and Knox, including as recently as this past spring.

In addition to the world premiere, Garlock said the performance will include “works from the Count Basie library, some original music by local composers and several popular tunes arranged for big band.”

The AUJO has been providing the AU campus and greater Ashland community with diverse jazz programming and internationally recognized jazz artists for more than 50 years. The ensemble consists of various saxophone, trombone, trumpet and rhythm instruments played by both music and non-music majors.