For the 2025-2026 season, all Traditional Jazz events
will take place at the Portsmouth Music Hall.
Traditional Jazz Series #284: The Count Basie Orchestra
Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:30pm.
In the history of jazz music, there is only one bandleader that has the distinction of having his orchestra still performing sold out concerts all over the world, with members personally chosen by him, for nearly 40 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of Jazz. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed for Kings, Queens, and other world Royalty, appeared in several movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world.
Traditional Jazz Series #285: Camille Thurman
Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:30pm.
As an accomplished composer, esteemed saxophonist, vocalist, and unique interpreter of the jazz tradition, Camille Thurman is quickly becoming one of the leading standard bearers of the art form, making a considerable and dynamic contribution to the legacy of jazz while paying tribute to its heroes. Referred to as the “classic double threat” by NPR, Camille Thurman excels on both tenor saxophone and vocals, establishing herself as a powerhouse virtuoso musician and an electrifying, trailblazing artist. The New York City-born artist has drawn comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dexter Gordon, and Joe Henderson. DownBeat Magazine describes Camille as a performer poised to shape jazz for decades to come. She made a historic and memorable impact as the first woman to perform and tour full-time with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in the tenor saxophone chair from 2018 to 2020. As a respected bandleader and composer, she has headlined numerous prestigious concert venues and jazz festivals around the world, including the Kennedy Center and Alice Tully Hall. Camille has released five full-length recordings as a leader and has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her latest project, Confluence: Vol 1, is a collaboration with master drummer Darrell Green and his quartet.
Traditional Jazz Series #286: TBA
Traditional Jazz Series #287: TBA
The Traditional Jazz Concert Series is made possible by a generous gift from the estate of Ms. Dorothy C. Prescott. Ms. Prescott, in collaboration with the UNH Music Department, inaugurated the Series in 1979 as a way to promote the enjoyment and understanding of the art of jazz. The Series features musicians of regional, national and international prominence and has become an important tradition at the University of New Hampshire. Learn more.
