Explore the Jazz Scene
Jazz Society
Jazz Society is the main hub of all jazz related activity in the University. They put on many different events throughout the year, ranging from masterclasses, to various themed gigs and balls and their staple Jazz Jams every Sunday night in Fabio’s Bar, where anyone can come to play some standards or just listen. Guest Masterclass leaders have included Asaf Sirkis, Gareth Lockrane and Sue Ferris.
The society fosters a friendly and educational environment for people of all levels of skill and previous engagement with Jazz music to learn whilst also understanding the history and context of the genre. Outreach is an important part of the society’s activities, working closely with various charities to promote and engage with the genre.
Fans of everything from Standards, to Motown, to Funk, to Fusion and everything in between will be able to engage with Jazz Soc.
President: Reuben Fitzsimons
Email: jazz.society@durham.ac.uk
Durham University Big Band
Founded in 1998, Durham University Big Band are the university’s flagship jazz group that attracts a high calibre of jazz musicians. They perform at gigs all over Durham and around the country, having recently performed with Oxford University Jazz Orchestra and Leeds University Union Big Band. The Band also makes an annual trip to Pizza Express in Soho, London.
DUBB also regularly perform well at the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival and have performed at the Wigan Jazz Festival in 2022
President: Ed Jobburn
Email: uni.bigband@durham.ac.uk
Durham University Jazz Orchestra
Durham University Jazz Orchestra is one Durham’s newer societies, formed in 2021, giving more opportunity for Big Band playing within Durham and promote the genre to a wider audience. Within their sort lifespan so far, they’ve enjoyed multiple sold out gigs, including collaborations with DU Big Band and Jazz Society, and their tight-knit community has become a key part of the Jazz community in Durham.
DUJO seeks to program a set that tells the story of a 20th Century Big Band and provides the opportunity for musicians to immerse themselves in that culture, also promoting engagement with Jazz Music, regardless of prior experience.
President: Janathan Karunakaran
Email: dujo@durham.ac.uk