UWM Jazz Ensemble With Special Guest: Steve Wiest

Dates	Location
December 5, 2024 (7:30–9 p.m.)	Kenilworth Square East, Jan Serr Studio

The 18-member UWM Jazz Ensemble performs music written or arranged specifically for a large jazz orchestra. The repertoire includes music from Duke Ellington and Count Basie as well as contemporary composers such as Maria Schneider, Tom Matta and Bob Mintzer.

Director Dave Bayles: Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Afro-Caribbean Orchestra
Guest Artist Steve Wiest: Trombonist, Composer, Arranger

Guest Artist Steve Wiest

Steve Wiest is a multiple Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, author, and cartoonist. The former soloist and writer for Maynard Ferguson, Steve went on to perform on the road with Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Orchestra as well as many other artists. Steve has numerous recordings out as a leader, the most recent of which (as of this writing) is the second album (BLUE) from the critically acclaimed all-star horn band Vinyl Hampdin. Along with being the trombonist with the group, Wiest composed and arranged all the tracks for their debut RED, as well as their second release, BLUE. Steve has many more ideas for future recordings, so stay tuned!

In the world of jazz education, Steve was formerly the director of the One O’Clock Lab Band at The University of North Texas where the band under his direction was nominated for two Grammy awards: one for Best Large Jazz Ensemble, and one for Best Instrumental Composition for Wiest’s original work “Ice-Nine.” Steve also received a Grammy nomination for his arrangement of “Besame Mucho” which was recorded on Maynard Ferguson’s final recording “The One and Only.” Following UNT, Wiest was Co-Chair of Jazz Studies at The University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. Before his tenure at UNT, Steve was Director of Jazz and Trombone at UW-Whitewater and began his tenure in education as Assistant Director of Jazz at The University of Texas at Arlington. In high demand as a guest artist, clinician, composer and conductor, Wiest has directed many all-state ensembles and continues to appear as a guest artist and clinician all over the world.

Steve is an artist for Edwards Instruments playing his custom “Excalibur” version of the Edwards T302 and the Griego-Steve Wiest Mouthpiece exclusively. His compositions and arrangements can be found via Ben Patterson’s Pro Jazz Charts (PJC) as well as Excelcia Publishing, and Sheet Music Plus, and his own site at leadtrombone.com.

Along with the “Leadology series, Steve has illustrated a number of jazz texts including DiBlasio’s Bop Shop Volumes I and II, and The Jazz Educator’s Handbook (Edition 1) by Doug Beach and Jeff Jarvis. Wiest has also contributed illustrations and cartoons to many other publications as well as self-publishing his own science fiction and fantasy novels (which can be found on his website…you REALLY need to check them out! )

Regarding sci-fi…Wiest is still (as of this writing) waiting for his first actual contact with a sentient extraterrestrial alien being. He can’t wait to learn about their music and wonders if they draw cartoons.