The Sound of the New Big Band;
“Jessika Smith is a composer whose language speaks to every milestone of her genre…” – Sean Ongley/Thru Magazine
In 2012, Jessika relocated from Spokane, WA to Eugene, OR to pursue her Master’s degree in Jazz Composition studying with Steve Owen. Since then, Smith has spent serious time writing and arranging and performing with her own ensembles, Jessika Smith Big Band, and Eugene Composer’s Big Band. In March 2015, Smith called upon many of her favorite players and former teachers to form the Jessika Smith Big Band and they recorded her debut, 9-track album, Tricks of Light. Tricks of Light was released by PJCE Records in December 2015 and has since received many glowing reviews. Members of the ensemble are based out of Eugene, Portland, Spokane, Seattle, Moscow, and Walla Walla.
Sunday 8/21 2:00 p.m.
Jessika Smith – saxophone/composer
Joe Manis – saxophone
Steve Treseler – saxophone
Joshua Hettwer – saxophone
Mary-Sue Tobin – saxophone
Paul Krueger – trumpet
Justin Woodward – trumpet
Douglas Detrick – trumpet
Dave Glenn – trombone
Jenny Kellogg – trombone
Joe Freuen – trombone
Bill Foster – trombone
Torrey Newhart – piano
Kyle Smith – guitar
Sean Peterson – bass
Ken Mastrogiovanni – drums