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North Carolina Central University

The North Carolina Central University Jazz Ensemble: Central Visions / Beyond the Horizon

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 2000

While grabbing a quick bite to eat during the IAJE Conference in New Orleans in January, I struck up a conversation with the gentleman who was in line ahead of me. He introduced himself as Ira Wiggins, director of the Jazz ensemble at North Carolina Central University in Durham. After explaining briefly that I am a Jazz reviewer, I asked if the NCCU ensemble had recorded any CDs. “Yes, we have,” he replied, and handed me two of them. I ...

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Festival

Jimmy Heath at 19th Annual North Carolina Central University Jazz Festival, April 17

Source: All About Jazz
March 27, 2009

By Larry Reni Thomas Jazz master, Jimmy Heath, 82 years old, has been performing for over six decades with jazz giants like John Coltrane and Miles Davis. He and Ira Wiggins, a 53 years old, music professor at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), have a great deal in common. They both play the tenor, soprano saxophones and flute exceptionally well. They both love jazz. They both graduated from high school in North Carolina (Jimmy in Wilmington in 1943 and Ira ...
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