The Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble will be performing their annual spring “home” concert tonight with guest trumpet artist Marvin Stamm.

Founder and Director of the Jazz Ensemble, Ron Modell, will direct the concert which will be held at 8 p.m. in the Duke Ellington Ballroom at NIU’s Holmes Student Center.

Modell said, “This concert promises to be one of the most exciting of my entire twenty years.”

Stamm, a Yamaha artist and native of Memphis, Tenn., is described by Modell as “the leading commercial jazz trumpet artist in New York City.” He earned his bachelor’s of music degree from North Texas State University at Denton, which is ranked as having one of the nation’s top collegiate jazz programs along with NIU.

In addition to the performance by Stamm, the NIU Jazz Ensemble will perform one of their best concerts yet, said Modell. “The concert will be introducing new music which is composed by NIU students Modell said. The first half of the program will feature original compositions and arrangements by several Jazz Ensemble members. These members include Scott Hall, Tom Link, Rob Parton, Ed Partyka and Evan Rea.

Vocalist Jon Johnson will also be performing. Jon Johnson is a wonderful vocalist, said Modell. “He is a combination of Joe Williams and Al Jarreau. He is the most exciting vocalist ever to be with the NIU Jazz Ensemble.”

NIU’s nationally known “big band” is just returning from a trip to Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. They performed there from April 20-24, following selection through national competition to perform at the 1989 Epcot Center All-American Jazz Festival.