Published: November 24, 2025
The Osher School of Music’s Crewe Center for the Arts Performance Hall came alive on the evening of November 14, 2025, as the Jazz Faculty Concert: After Hours brought together the university’s most accomplished jazz performers for a night of energy, fabulous music, and heartfelt remembrance. The concert featured a powerhouse lineup: Amanda Roswick on vocals, James Clark on trumpet, Aaron Henry on saxophone, Chris Oberholtzer on trombone, Gary Wittner on guitar, Chris Humphrey on piano, Bronek Sachanek on double bass, and the school’s newest jazz faculty member, RJ Miller on drums.
The sold-out hall was filled with students, faculty, and community members eager to experience the annual collaboration of the school’s leading jazz educators. The concert also carried a profound emotional weight, occurring only weeks after the passing of long-time jazz drum faculty member Les Harris Jr., who lost his battle with cancer. His legacy, influence, and decades of mentorship were acknowledged with deep respect by the performers. Harris’ spirit was felt throughout the evening, especially as the ensemble welcomed RJ Miller to the stage as the new member of the jazz faculty.
The ensemble delivered a thoughtfully curated set list featuring original compositions, fresh arrangements, jazz classics, and moments that highlighted each musician’s individual artistry.
Digits, arranged by Chris Humphrey, set the tone for the night with standout solos by vocalist Amanda Roswick, trombonist Chris Oberholtzer, and bassist Bronek Sachanek. The energy continued with King Henry, showcasing brilliant solo work from Aaron Henry and James Clark.
A rendition of One Note Samba, also arranged by Chris Humphrey, featured crisp and expressive solos from both Humphrey and Henry. The always-beloved Save Your Love for Me followed, offering a beautifully blended moment of ensemble sensitivity.
The ensemble then launched into Curro’s, arranged by Oberholtzer, which opened with an interesting solo from RJ Miller. His improvisation was certainly something the audience will not soon forget. Solos from Oberholtzer, Henry, and Wittner rounded out this energetic performance.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came with Goodbye Porkpie Hat, the Charles Mingus classic that is often interpreted as a musical eulogy. With Harris’s passing so recent, the selection resonated deeply, honoring the memory of someone who had shaped jazz education at the university for many years.
The set continued with On a Clear Day arranged by Chris Oberholtzer, featuring solos by Oberholtzer, Wittner, and Humphrey, followed by Thought Process, an original composition by Aaron Henry, performed with featured solos by Henry and Clark.
Gary Wittner’s self-identified greatest hits, his original works, You Do Not Know It and Winter Song, added a comedic but real addition about what it means to gig as a professional musician, and sometimes that means “You do not know it, but I am here”. The ensemble moved into a tender performance of Corcovado, featuring Amanda Roswick and Christopher Oberholtzer.
The concert closed with Happy Talk, a bright and spirited finish featuring solos from Henry, Humphrey, and Clark. The mood shifted from reflection to celebration, ending the evening with joy, humor, and a reminder that jazz, even in moments of loss, remains a living and uplifting art form.
The After Hours Jazz Faculty Concert was more than a performance. It was a tribute, a celebration of talent, a welcome to new leadership in the jazz program, and a reminder of the deep sense of community at the Osher School of Music.
Les Harris Jr.’s legacy remains firmly etched into the spirit of the jazz program, and through performances like this one, his influence continues to resonate. The Osher School of Music honored him beautifully that night, not only through words, but through the music he loved.
