The Jazz Ensemble’s show today will feature director Ron Carter’s last fall performance at NIU.

The Jazz Ensemble plays 8 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom. Carter has directed the Jazz Ensemble for 20 years. Carter stayed to direct the band for one last year.

“This will be my last fall concert on campus,” Carter said. “After this, I’ll just have the spring concert.”

Carter is well-known for his direction of the jazz band and also for recruiting jazz students to the School of Music. He said that in his 20 years, the recruitment of foreign students has helped the program grow.

“I have enjoyed seeing the program go from where it was to where it is now,” Carter said.

The jazz musicians are upset to see Carter leave campus but are grateful to have had him as a director over the years.

“I have a great director,” said Kim Branch, senior jazz studies and music education major. “The experience of working with him has been very rewarding.”

Today’s show will be the second of five performances the jazz band will have during its November tour with guest artist Rodney Whitaker.

Other performances will be in Wisconsin and Indiana.

Whitaker, a Michigan State University jazz director, will play jazz bass with the band. He has rehearsed some of his original music to perform with the students.

Whitaker’s performance will include “Ease It,” “For Garrison” and “Summer.” Other selections the band will play are “Back Bone” by Thad Jones, “Sultry Sunset” by Duke Ellington and “Moment’s Notice” by John Coltrane.

Students have enjoyed being able to learn Whitaker’s original music and are excited to be able to perform it for NIU.

“It’s cool that we get to perform Professor Whitaker’s music,” said Kenneth Leftridge, senior jazz studies major. “He’s been very inspirational, and I have learned a lot from him.”

The performance is free.