An evening of contemporary big band and live fundraiser for the NPJE debut album.

Steve Owen alto saxophone
Ben Harris alto saxophone
Joe Manis tenor saxophone
Jon Corona tenor saxophone
Sam Prentice baritone saxophone
Burnette Dillon trumpet
Paul Krueger trumpet
Devin Perez trumpet
Doug Doerfert trumpet
Rich Lewis trombone
Alex Hunter trombone
Joe Freuen trombone
Matt Ingman trombone
Avery Scanlon guitar
David Morgenroth piano
Eli Hansen bass
Ken Mastrogiovanni drums

Nathan Poehlke is an award winning composer, guitarist, and educator in Eugene, Oregon.

As a writer, Nathan was the JEN 2020 Young Composer Showcase winner for his composition “Feeling Sleepy,” performed by the U.S. Navy Commodores band and conducted by Poehlke in New Orleans. His other compositions have been featured by the Oregon Jazz Ensemble, with choral works featured at various universities around the country, and large jazz ensemble pieces commissioned for artists such as Vern Sielert, Calvin Orlando Smith. Having the privilege to study with Steve Owen, Dave Rivello, and John LaBarbera, Nathan’s compositions for large jazz ensemble, jazz nonet, choir, and classical chamber groups continue to be performed around the Northwest, as well as internationally through his publishing contract with iJazzmUsic.com.

As an educator, Nathan currently teaches at Bushnell University as their director of bands, core music theory and aural skills instructor, and composition teacher. Nathan has taught as a Graduate Employee at the University of Oregon where he received his MM in Jazz Composition in 2020 as the Outstanding Graduate Performer. He also performs regular masterclasses and has been an adjudicator for the Oregon Jazz Festival. Nathan currently directs and writes for the Swing Shift Jazz Orchestra, who under his direction won the 2024 Springfield Arts Commissions “Excellence in Arts” award.