Southern University Jazz Ensemble

Biography

The Southern University Jazz Ensemble, led by the renowned clarinetist and educator Alvin Batiste, is a significant part of the New Orleans jazz scene. Under Batiste's guidance, the ensemble produced two notable albums: Live at the 1971 American College Jazz Festival and Goes to Africa With Love. These albums, initially distributed as souvenirs, have been reissued commercially by Now-Again Records, showcasing Batiste's original compositions and jazz classics. The ensemble's music reflects a blend of spiritual jazz and African influences, contributing to the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. Alvin Batiste, a recipient of the 'Best of The Beat' Lifetime Achievement Award in Music Education, played a pivotal role in shaping the ensemble's style and legacy. Despite his influence, Batiste's own profile remained relatively low, with few albums released under his name. However, his work with the Southern University Jazz Ensemble has gained recognition for its unique blend of jazz and cultural exploration. The ensemble's performances and recordings have been celebrated for their energy and improvisational depth, reflecting Batiste's emphasis on ensemble interaction and individual creativity.

Fun Facts

• The Southern University Jazz Ensemble's albums were initially distributed as souvenirs and have only recently gained commercial recognition.
• Alvin Batiste led the ensemble on a US State Department-sponsored trip to Africa in 1973, which inspired Goes to Africa With Love.
• The ensemble's music includes previously unreleased tracks, such as 'Samba Dee' and 'Music Came', which were included in the reissue of Goes to Africa With Love.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Alvin Batiste - Leader and mentor of the Southern University Jazz Ensemble (Live at the 1971 American College Jazz Festival, Goes to Africa With Love) [1960s-1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Henry Butler - Pianist in the ensemble (Live at the 1971 American College Jazz Festival) [1970s]
• Julius Farmer - Bassist in the ensemble (Live at the 1971 American College Jazz Festival) [1970s]
• Herman Jackson - Drummer in the ensemble (Live at the 1971 American College Jazz Festival) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Charles Singleton - Bassist who later joined the group Cameo (Cameo's music) [1970s-1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Clean Air (Goes To Africa With Love)
2. Samba Dee (Goes To Africa With Love)
3. Samba Dee (Samba Dee)
4. Ah Ja Ge Da Ba (Goes To Africa With Love)
5. Music Came (Live) (Live At The 1971 American College Jazz Festival)
6. Tunjii (Live) (Live At The 1971 American College Jazz Festival)
7. Straight Life (Live) (Live At The 1971 American College Jazz Festival)
8. Unknown Title (Demo Track For Cannonball Adderley) (Music Came - Live 1971-1976)
9. Music Came (Goes To Africa With Love)
10. Nanigo (Goes To Africa With Love)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](None found)