Jazz at Knox

In spite of being housed at a college of only 1250, the sixteen-year old jazz program at Knox College is a comprehensive learning and performing experience. Led by director Nikki Whittaker, the program features the 20-piece Knox Jazz Ensemble, The Cherry St. Combo and five other combos.

For the past twelve years, these groups have received outstanding big band and/or combo citations at collegiate jazz festivals, with their members
receiving outstanding soloist citations at events such as the University of Notre Dame Jazz Festival, the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley Festival, the Elmhurst Jazz Festival, the Tri-C Jazz Festival, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jazz Festival, Kansas University Jazz Festival, The University of Louisville Jazz Festival, the Western Illinois University Jazz Festival, and the Illinois Collegiate Jazz Festival. The Knox Jazz Ensemble and the Cherry St. Combo (Knox’s top combo) were one of eight big bands and five combos selected to perform at the 2003 North Texas Jazz Festival.

The Knox Jazz Ensemble and Cherry St. Combo travel yearly, with European tours every four years. Both ensembles are currently planning for a winter, 2008 tour in Spain. The Knox Jazz Ensemble has recorded three cds, Mr. B Natural, No Excuses, and Assorted Pre-Concert Rituals and the Cherry St. Combo has released one cd, Y is a Vowel in Spy.