On Nov. 4, Adjunct Associate Professor of Classical and Jazz Trombone Matthew Niess, D.M.A., performed with The White House Band as part of Trumpet Day at George Mason University and Nov. 30 at The Hylton Center in Manassas, Virginia. On Nov. 13, Dr. Niess performed with vocalist Darden Purcell at the Richmond Jazz Society guest educators series at the Capital Ale House in downtown Richmond, Virginia.
On Dec. 1, Niess performed a complete program dedicated to the compositions of John Coltrane with The Smithsonian Masterworks Jazz Orchestra as part of the concert series at the Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. The concert featured all new arrangements for big band including Coltrane’s “Love Supreme.” Visit dumbartonconcerts.org/tickets/ to learn more. On Dec. 2, Niess led his band performing for the dinner after-party at the 2018 Kennedy Honors in the foyer of the Kennedy Center.
On Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, Niess performed with the American Festival Pop Orchestra at The Hylton Center and the George Mason University Center for the Arts. Conducted by founder Anthony Maiello, this pops orchestra brings together the most talented musicians from the metro area to perform the best of the season, including Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmas Festival” and other treasured classics. On Dec. 10, Niess led The Capitol Bones All-Brass Big Band at The Union Stage in Washington, D.C., performing A Stan Kenton Christmas. On Dec. 16, Niess performed with the National Presbyterian Brass in Washington, D.C.