The NIU Jazz Ensemble will feature at tonight’s performance trombonist Curtis Fuller, who brings more than 40 years of experience and individuality to one of the country’s Top 10 college groups.

“He brings so much experience, along with original compositions,” said Ron Carter, NIU jazz studies coordinator and jazz ensemble director. “NIU has one of the top college bands in the world, and people who attend the shows really enjoy them. They seem to enjoy the performance as well as the presentation.”

Fuller was born in Detroit, Mich. in 1943. He has performed with the likes of John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean and Herbie Hancock during his career.

“During every tour, we always have a Grammy legend or a jazz legend, and he’s both,” said Nicholas Brooks, a vocalist with the jazz ensemble. “I’ll be singing two songs, very high-energy tunes with a lot of feeling. The sounds will be very pleasing.”

The free performance begins at 8 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom. Carter said the group will perform some traditional big band material, along with some of Fuller’s original pieces.

In addition to this show, the jazz ensemble is preparing for a European tour that will take them to the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Jazz a Vienne Festival in France this summer. Carter said the ensemble will perform for more than 80,000 people while overseas.

Carter also said a few spots remain on the trip for anyone who wants to go. The per-person cost is $2,300, which includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, land transportation, some meals and concert tickets. Guests must be 21.