Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble

Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble: Swinging It Live

by Jack Bowers
February 1, 1999

After a brief and unmemorable excursion into Jazz’s nether regions some years ago, the well–respected Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble quickly returned “home” to the mainstream, where it has been lodged comfortably ever since, articulating the swinging credo of long–time director Ron Modell, now retired, and its newly appointed leader, Ron Carter (the saxophonist, not the bassist), under whose supervision this newest release was consummated. The recording was made during three concert dates in April ’98, and the band shows ...