UNC Compass Jazz Orchestra | HSCS Series

The Compass Jazz Orchestra at the University of Northern Colorado is considered to be one of the premier college big bands in the country. They were recognized in DownBeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards ten of the last thirteen years, most recently in 2023. Nine of these were as 'Winner' in the Graduate Large Ensemble Category.

Compass Jazz Orchestra’s repertoire focuses on new music: original compositions and reinterpretations of jazz classics. Their last album, The Romeo and Juliet Project, is a musical sketchbook of Shakespeare’s most famous work, featuring pieces by notable jazz composers, including John Hollenbeck. His contribution, This Kiss, was recorded later on his release John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, which was nominated for a Grammy Award.