Jazz Lab History
Jazz at Northeastern State University began in the 1960 s, when Dr. Lowell Lehman
started the university's first jazz band. Now a professor emeritus of music at NSU,
Lehman founded the Green Country Jazz Festival in the 1970 s, which has brought internationally
renowned jazz artists to the region for over four decades. On November 16, 2010, Dr.
Lehman was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame for his service in jazz education.
In 1992, former NSU President Roger Webb approached the university's instructor of jazz, Joe Davis, to inquire about finding a place where jazz students could practice their craft and other NSU students could come together in an informal atmosphere to enjoy live jazz. Over the next several months, Webb and his staff developed a plan of action that led to the design and construction of the NSU Jazz Lab in 1993. At this time, Webb also appointed Brad Henderson to manage the daily operations of the facility. From student and faculty performances, to touring professionals, some tremendous music has passed through the NSU Jazz Lab since its inception.
The building continues to provide a unique classroom and performance facility for the NSU jazz & commercial music program and provides the community with a great space for their myriad activities.
Tragically, Joe Davis died of colon cancer in 1995. In his honor, Webb placed a neon sign over the stage door. It simply read "Joe's Place". The memories of Joe and his students Jacob Farinelli and Mike Antle are secure with those who follow jazz in Oklahoma and the region. Their contributions to jazz and life in general in this area of the country were enormous and they are sorely missed.
In the spring of 1996, NSU hired a saxophonist from the University of North Texas to lead the NSU Jazz Studies program. Under the inspiring leadership and talent of Will Campbell, the NSU Jazz Band received superior ratings at the highly competitive Wichita Jazz Festival for three straight years. Campbell was also instrumental in creating Oklahoma's only undergraduate jazz degree program.
In the fall of 2004, saxophonist Arthur White became NSU's third full-time director of jazz studies. White has expanded the program to include a second large jazz ensemble, numerous jazz combos, and added a course in jazz education and pedagogy. White also produced Oklahoma's first internationally-released and critically acclaimed university jazz CDs: Hour of the Pearl with guest artist Scott Wendholt, Appointment in Milano with jazz legend Bobby Watson, and The Point with guitarist Henry Johnson.
Dr. Tommy Poole became the NSU Director of Jazz Studies in the fall of 2009. Poole's appointment led to the jazz curriculum expansion to include Jazz Theory I, II, and III. Under Poole's leadership, the NSU Jazz Ensemble, began performing twice annually at one of the region's premiere jazz venues, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame (Tulsa, OK). In 2012, the NSU Jazz Ensemble was selected as the Collegiate Honor Jazz Band by Oklahoma Music Educators Association and in October of 2012, the NSU Jazz Ensemble released its sixth CD entitled On Cue-the Music of Seamus Blake to critical acclaim. In the summer of 2015, the NSU Jazz released its first student jazz combo CD entitled Out Front.
Dr. Clark Gibson was Director of Jazz studies beginning in 2015. He served the Jazz Studies area well through outreach, recruiting, and performing widely with the Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combos, providing valuable experience to students.
Dr. John Petrucelli was appointed Director of Jazz Studies, Fall 2018. He came to the program as a Ph.D. graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and most recently taught at Carnegie Mellon University.
In Fall 2019, Dr. Clark Gibson returned to NSU after a year of active performing across the country and as a resident of Nashville, Tennessee. He continues to develop the program including the new addition of a commercial music and entrepreneurship element.