University of Nevada Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble 1 – Let The Good Times Roll (Vegas Records VR1027, 2025)
By any measure, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble I has hit a high note with Let The Good Times Roll. This jubilant and deeply swinging release is a living, breathing document of a powerhouse program firing on all cylinders. The 2024 release captures the artistic triumphs and tireless dedication of the UNLV School of Music’s Division of Jazz and Commercial Music across a banner academic year, filled with accolades, collaborations, and milestone moments.
For starters, this ensemble is making history. With an astonishing 50 DownBeat Student Music Awards collected since 2010, UNLV has firmly established itself in the upper echelon of collegiate jazz programs. In 2024 alone, the ensemble took home top honors in the Large Jazz Ensemble (Graduate College) category—a nod that places them squarely in the big leagues. The compositional talent of Ricardo Arana and Kirby Galbraith earned accolades in the Undergraduate Composition Categories, while soloists Tristan Selzler and Toscha Comeaux turned heads and swung hard enough to win in the Outstanding Soloist category. Meanwhile, Yoni Kessler’s studio wizardry earned top marks in the Engineered Studio Recording category, proof that this outfit knows how to groove both onstage and behind the board.
The ensemble’s live presence is just as commanding. Their featured performance at the 2024 Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference in New Orleans, a city steeped in the spirit of jazz, served as both an affirmation of their artistic weight and a celebration of their collective sound. And let’s not forget the ripples from Dreamlike, their previous record, which received 2024 Grammy Consideration and enjoyed rotation on jazz radio stations from coast to coast.
But Let The Good Times Roll isn’t content to rest on past laurels. It pushes forward, blending seasoned artistry with youthful verve. Guest appearances abound, with the return of the silky-voiced Laura Taylor, tenor sax titan Curt Miller, and the ever-fiery trumpeter Kenny Rampton. Newcomers Clint Holmes and Naomi Mauro, both alumni of UNLV’s cherished Joe Williams Scholarship Concert, bring fresh ideas and vocal fireworks. Add to that a potent mix of faculty flair, including the baritone groove of Adam Schroeder and the authoritative trombone of Dr. Isrea Butler, and the session starts to feel like a late-night jam that refuses to quit.
Meanwhile, the album benefits from a touch of Grammy-winning magic courtesy of producer Gregg Field, who lent his golden ears to both the title track and the urbane reading of Too Close for Comfort. His presence elevates the project from collegiate showcase to professional-caliber statement.
Yet perhaps the most exciting element here is the homegrown talent. UNLV has become a veritable incubator for tomorrow’s jazz architects. With originals and arrangements from a formidable slate of student composers, Kirby Galbraith, Renzon Maballo, Jaren Glick, Tristan Selzler, Mateo H.D. Mendoza, and Surafael Tamre, the record highlights a program that values not only performance but also the art of the chart.
Under the visionary direction of Dave Loeb and Nathan Tanouye, this ensemble continues to blur the lines between student and professional, tradition and innovation, swing and swagger. As the directors put it: “We are proud of the creativity and exceptional performances on this record, and we hope you enjoy Let The Good Times Roll.”
Musicians:
Saxophones: Chris Ellis, Owen Chichester (Altos) Renzon Maballo, Joshua Alvarado (Tenors), Cole Henriques (Baritone)
Trumpets: David Torres (Lead), Brandon O’Donahue (Lead), Aries Harper, Surafael Tamre, Kurt Tumbagahan
Trombones: Dylan Musso, Giovanni Lacala, Zach Guzman, Tristan Selzler, Rob Harrover, Kirby Galbraith (Bass Trombone)
Casey Davis (French Horn)
Rhythm Section: Tristan Selzler & Micah Smith (Piano), Jaren Glick and Kayne Johnson (Guitar), Edoardo Lacala and Lukas Hutchinson (Bass), Andrés Montero, Mateo Hurtado De Mendoza, Zach Guzman (Drums), Amy Crosley (Vibes)