Beneath the Under Dog: The Music of Charles Mingus - Michigan Tech Jazz

MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC SERIES EVENT

Join the R&D Jazz Band under the direction of Drew Kilpela on Thursday, and Jazz Lab Band under the direction of Adam Meckler on Friday as they explore the music of famed bassist and composer Charles Mingus. Friday night will also feature the Video Game Ensemble, and Saturday will feature JazTec and the Workshop Brass Band.

Mingus developed under the greats of this music having played with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington (he was one of very few to be fired by Duke himself), and Charlie Parker before becoming known as a prolific composer and band leader. Mingus' music is sometimes referred to as "organized chaos" rooted in gospel music and the blues, Mingus' music spoke on themes of religion, politics, and the black experience in America.

This music is raccaus, it'll be fun! Listeners can expect powerful, grooving music that showcases many of the band members as soloists, both indivdually and collectively. Watch out, you might just hear some band members yelling out words to the music.

Things to know

DATE | Thursday and Friday, October 29-30, 2026
TIME | 7:30 p.m. each night
SEATING BEGINS | 7 p.m.
LOCATION | Rozsa Backstage
EST. RUN TIME | 90 mins. including intermission
SEATING | General Admission
PUBLIC TICKETS | Pay As You're Able ($20 Full Fee) What is Pay As You're Able?
MICHIGAN TECH STUDENT RUSH TICKETS | Login to rozsatickets.com using the MTU Single Sign-on. What is Student Rush?

CONTENT GUIDANCE | Loud music. Earplugs available upon request. VIew all accessibility services.

Get tickets at rozsatickets.com or at the Rozsa Box Office. View Rozsa Box Office Hours.

Thank you to Sponsors

Support for this 2026/27 Michigan Tech Music Series event is sponsored in part by:
and the Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Circle of Supporters at mtu.edu/rozsa/donors

About the Performers

R&D Jazz Band
The Research and Development Big Band (R and D) performs repertoire from Jazz’s storied history including a mix of traditional and modern repertoire for big band, with an emphasis on traditional repertoire. R and D learns tunes by ear, and spends time on improvisation, and defining chord changes for improvising. The R&D band performs each Fall and Spring in the Backstage Jazz concerts, and locally at public schools and venues each Spring.

Jazz Lab Band
The award-winning Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band, under the direction of Adam Meckler, is made up of 18 musicians from throughout the country, and features a broad repertoire of music ranging from the Big Band Era to today's contemporary big band Jazz, with a focus on modern and original compositions. The lab band performs modern works by artists such as Maria Schneider, John Hollenbeck, Darcy James Argue, Nathan Parker Smith, Fred Sturm, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, and Director Adam Meckler.
The Jazz Lab Band is the top jazz ensemble at Michigan Tech, touring regionally every January. Their busy schedule includes numerous concerts and club dates throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, guest artist concerts featuring performers such as Caroline Davis, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Maynard Ferguson, Byron Stripling, Frank Mantooth, Frank Wess, Wendell Harrison, Woddy Herman and the Young Thundering Herd, and the Stan Kenton Orchestra, an annual one-week Midwest Tour, and featured performances at various conventions such as the Midwestern Conference on School Music. The Jazz Lab Band has toured Jamaica six times and has been chosen as the Outstanding Large Ensemble at the Aquinas Intercollegiate Big Band Festival, Grand Rapids, MI and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Collegiate Jazz Festival on numerous occasions. The students composing this ensemble come from all majors.

Video Game Jazz Ensemble
Two Huskies channeled their love of jazz, funk, fusion, and video game music into a 30-member student-run ensemble that arranges, rehearses, and performs songs from video game franchises. Computer engineering major Ryan Briggs and mechanical engineering graduate Sean Hanson '21 formed the Video Game Music ensemble in 2019 when they discovered their mutual appreciation for the genre.

JazTec
JAZTEC is a dynamic 5 to 7-piece jazz combo that specializes in contemporary jazz, funk, and original styles. The instrumentation of 3 horns, and rhythm section allows each member ample opportunity to explore jazz improvisation and composition, and to develop an individual style.
In addition to frequent campus concerts, this combo often performs in local clubs, at jazz festivals, records CDs, and tours with the Jazz Lab Band each year. They have been selected as the Outstanding Jazz Combo at the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival on three occasions and twice at the Aquinas College Jazz Festival. JAZTEC's first CD, "Watch Your Step," came out in 1998. Admission is by audition when openings occur.

Workshop Brass Band
The Workshop big band performs works learned by ear, traditional big band jazz, and a small amount of modern big band repertoire. The purpose of this band is to introduce and learn the language of jazz. Focus is placed on learning tunes by ear, and improvising. Though all players interested in Jazz must audition at the start of the year, no restrictions will be placed on players joining the Workshop big band. This ensemble's main focus is to provide students with an opportunity to learn and develop the basic skills of jazz performance and improvisation in a large ensemble environment.

ABOUT MICHIGAN TECH JAZZ
Michigan Tech Jazz, led by Director Jazz Studies Adam Meckler and Drew Kilpela, brings the Keweenaw a wide range of jazz experiences performed by students, local performers, and national names. Its diverse ensembles transform the Rozsa backstage into an intimate jazz club and blow off the roof with the annual Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Festival.

Meet the performers, creative team, and production team in the event's digital program. Programs are published at least one day prior to the event.

About the Presenter

The Michigan Tech Music Series unites students, faculty, and community members for a vibrant season of live music in the Keweenaw. Enjoy the commanding Keweenaw Symphony and experience Michigan Tech Jazz as it transforms the Rozsa and McArdle Theatre into Orchestra, stirring Michigan Tech Choirs, and inventive New Music events. Feel the dynamic energy of the Superior Wind Symphony, Campus Concert Band, and iconic Huskies Pep Band, intimate jazz clubs.

Part of the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students from across campus, community members, and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone.

View all Michigan Tech Music Series Events.

Related Events

Beneath the Under Dog: The Music of Charles Mingus - Michigan Tech Jazz
Rozsa Backstage | Thursday and Friday, October 29-30, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.

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Rozsa Backstage | Wednesday and Thursday, November 18-19, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.

Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday: Dinner and Live Jazz - Michigan Tech Jazz
Bonfire at the Continential Fire Co. | Tuesday, February 9, 2027 | Doors 5:30 p.m. | Show 6 p.m.

Backstage Jazz: Video Game Jazz Ensemble - Michigan Tech Jazz
Rozsa Backstage | Wednesday and Thursday, March 17-18, 2027 | 7:30 p.m.

Don Keranen Jazz Festival 2027 - Michigan Tech Jazz
Multiple Locations | Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, 2027 | Weekend Lineup

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