UNLV's Division of Jazz and Commercial Music program, for the 10th consecutive year, has been invited to perform at the 2019 Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. The festival, which draws top student musicians from around the world, will be held April 5-7 in Monterey, California.

UNLV jazz students will be competing among exceptional university ensembles from across the nation performing in one of the most prestigious festivals for young jazz musicians. "We are thrilled that our talented students have earned this honor," said Dave Loeb, director of the Division of UNLV Jazz and Commercial Music. 

UNLV Jazz Ensemble I, conducted by Loeb and Nathan Tanouye, was selected through a rigorous audition process by a distinguished panel of judges to compete in the College Big Band Division. The UNLV Honors Quartet and Nefertiti Combo were invited to participate as special guest performers. The UNLV Honors Trio won first place in the College Combo Division at last year's event and was invited to perform at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival held in September 2018. 

The UNLV jazz studies program has been active for more than 45 years. Since its inception, the jazz program has received outstanding reviews from critics, including a five-star rating from the internationally respected jazz publication, DownBeat magazine. With more than 20 recordings to its credit, the UNLV Jazz Ensemble has performed across the U.S., including the Hawaii International Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center, and the Village Vanguard.