Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble

My father made me learn to play piano when I was seven, and I thought he was torturing me for no reason. All my friends were outside playing, I was inside practicing scales. Piano wasn’t cool or fun, it was repetitive, frustrating, and seemed pointless. But my dad insisted I master something most kids would quit. Learning piano is brutal at first: you coordinate both hands, read two clefs, and understand rhythm. After I got comfortable with simple songs, he made me learn complex classical pieces, breaking them down measure by measure, practicing the same bars hundreds of times. Years later, I realized he wasn’t just teaching me piano, he was teaching me that mastery requires repetition. Excellence comes from doing boring things obsessively. You don’t get better by reading more books, you get better by putting in the reps. Repetition is the price of mastery. Comment the word “BETTER” for strategies that will get you from comfortable to capable through consistent action.

You don't want to miss this one! The 59th Annual Fortier-Gerbrecht Jazz Invitational Concert promises to be a great jazz showcase featuring performances by some of the best school ensembles in our area. And opening the show is our very own community jazz ensemble, The Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble. The amazing legacy of Lee Fortier and John Gerbrecht continues! Hope to see you there!

Get “In the Mood” for the holidays with the Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Doug Stone, as they entertain at The Queen 1717 Kitchen + Cocktails, Sunday, December 21, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The show will include exciting big band arrangements of all the greatest holiday favorites – from swingin’ tunes like “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” “Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “Jingle Bells” to beautiful ballads, like “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” The top-notch musicians in the Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble are like the big band pros from the bygone era, entertaining with that classic music made famous by the likes of Miller, Ellington, and Sinatra. You won’t find a more festive performance of holiday music that is sure to delight everyone in the crowd! Family-friendly restaurant so bring the whole crew!

BRJE Christmas Show this Sunday, Dec. 21, 4-6pm at 1717 Kitchen+Cocktails at The Queen Casino Baton Rouge! We'll play all of your favorite big band Christmas favorites. It's a family-friendly restaurant so bring the whole gang to enjoy an afternoon of great music, food, and fun. Hope to see you there! Call (225) 709-7777 for reservations.

Come out to the St. George Fair and hear the Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble on Sat, Oct. 18, 11 am to 12:30 pm. It's a family-friendly event with great food, fun games & rides, and of course, GREAT musical entertainment. Hope to see you there! PS: The fair burgers & curly fries are the BEST!

TOMORROW - SUNDAY, JUNE 29!
Swing Into Summer with the Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble on Sunday, June 29, 4 pm to 6 pm at 1717 KITCHEN+COCKTAILS at The Queen Casino. Enjoy an afternoon of great food, cocktails and classic big band music featuring the talented musicians of the BRJE. Family-friendly.
NO COVER. 1717 N. River Road, BR.

BATON ROUGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
SUNDAY, JUNE 29 • 4PM
Swing Into Summer with the Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble on Sunday, June 29, 4 pm to 6 pm at 1717 KITCHEN+COCKTAILS at The Queen Casino. Enjoy an afternoon of great food, cocktails and classic big band music featuring the talented musicians of the BRJE. Family-friendly.
NO COVER

You don't want to miss this one! The Invitational Concert promises to be a great jazz showcase featuring performances by some of the best school ensembles in our area. And opening the show is our very own community jazz ensemble, The Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble. The amazing legacy of Lee Fortier and John Gerbrecht continues!

57th Annual Fortier-Gerbrecht Jazz Invitational is fast approaching! Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at the beautiful Manship Theatre in downtown BR. Come out to hear the BR Jazz Ensemble open the show and enjoy performances by talented young jazz musicians from area schools. It is always a spectacular night where you can support live music and jazz education in one night. Hope to see you there!