The Left Bank Big Band, under the direction of Dr. Matthew White, is the premier ensemble of the University of South Carolina Jazz Studies Program. Performing a variety of musical styles that represent the rich and varied history of big band performance and improvised music, they have recently performed with Rodney Whitaker, Nicole Zuraitis, Michael Dease, and Mimi Jones, and various other jazz luminaries.
Left Bank Big Band has received back-to-back invitations to perform at the Savannah Jazz Festival; in 2024, the ensemble performed with Grammy® Award-winning vocalist and with 2021 JUNO Award winning jazz guitarist Jocelyn Gould in 2025. In Summer 2025, the ensemble toured Europe with performances at the Vienne (France) and Umbria (Italy) jazz festivals.
In January 2026, Left Bank Big Band were invited to compete at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship against nine other colleges at the center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall. Though Temple University won first place, followed by Michigan State University, USC received several accolades, including an honorable mention for its Rhythm Section (Nick Vlandis, piano; Sutton Jenkins, guitar; Wilson Stokes, bass; and Josh Anderson, drums); Outstanding Trombone Section (Ethan Bautz, Ben Stone, Noah Song and Luke Propst); Ryan Johnson, Honorable Mention Clarinet; and Ethan Bautz, Outstanding Trombone Soloist.
Interested in participating?
All jazz ensembles, including Left Bank Big Band, require jazz auditions. Click here for information.
Left Bank Big Band is directed by Matt White.