Wolfpack Jazz Combo
Tradition meets precision
The 380th Army Band's newest and most flexible ensemble, the Wolfpack Jazz Combo is three to seven member combo performing jazz, latin, fusion, & neo soul music suitable for any venue or audience. Whether performing dinner jazz at a military ball or funk & fusion at a Jazz Festival, or teaching masterclasses to aspiring school band students the Wolfpack Jazz Combo brings America's true art form live and direct to the American people with Army precision.
In Depth
A product of the 2020 COVID Pandemic, the Wolfpack Jazz Combo is the newest ensemble in the 380th Army Band. While only existing several months, the group is rooted in both jazz and military tradition. Drawing inspiration from internationally renowned jazz pianist and former Army musician Dave Brubeck, the Wolfpack Jazz Combo pays homage to Brubeck's trailblazing WWII era Army unit, the "Wolf Pack Band;" one of the first racially integrated units in the U.S. military (two decades before desegregation in the US). Working alongside the 80th Division Army Band (our lineage unit designator before being transferred to the 99th Readiness Division and becoming the 380th Army Band in 2018), Brubeck and our forefathers brought American Jazz to troops and locals throughout the European theater and they are honored to carry on that legacy today for American audiences.
The Wolfpack Jazz Combo carries a unique modular setup; meaning they can alter personnel and the group's size from a jazz trio for small spaces/low volume events to a for or 4-5 piece group for larger venues, up to the full 7 piece group for large indoor venues and festival style performances. Not simply a flexible instrumentation group, the members of the the Wolfpack Jazz are well versed in a variety of Jazz styles; capable of not simply performing jazz, but also, teaching jazz. From it's history, to style, to improvisational theory and section playing, the Wolf Pack Jazz combo frequently performs in junctions with Expert Teams from the 380th Army Band with local area schools and college music programs. As a community relations tool, the ensemble helps carry on Americas art form by both performing at a high level, but providing instruction and insight to the next generation of both musicians and audience members in an effort to ensure this great American aural tradition we call "Jazz" continues for years to come.
Sample Program
Sample Setlist
So What-Miles Davis-Cool Jazz
Spain-Chick Corea & Return to Forever-Fusion
Strausbourg / St. Denis-Roy Hargrove-Neo Soul
Take the A Train-Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn-Swing
Alice in Wonderland-Fain / Hilliard / Brubeck-Jazz Waltz
All The Things You Are-Jerome Kern-Swing
Impressions-John Coltrane / Tyner / Brecker-Bebop
In a Sentimental Mood-Duke Ellington / Eric Marienthal-Smooth Jazz Ballad
Minor Crisis-SSG Tim Stuart-Fusion
Mr. Clean-Freddie Hubbard / Roy Hargrove-Neo Soul
Mr. PC-John Coltrane- Blues
Recuerda Me-Joe Henderson-Latin
Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers-Steve Kuhn-Avante Garde/Jazz Waltz
technical Requirements
Instrumentation & Space Requirements
Trio (6' x 8')
Drums, Bass, Piano or Guitar
Bass, Piano or Guitar, Horn
Quartet/Quintet (10' x 12')
Drums, Bass, Piano/Sax, Guitar
Drums, Bass, Piano or Guitar, Two Horns
Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitar, One Horn
Sextet/Septet (14' x 16')
Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitar, Two Horns
Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitar, Three Horns
Sextet/Septet Sound Reinforcement Requirements
Drums (6 channels-Bass Drum, Snare, High Tom, Low Tom, 2 Overheads)
Two Direct Boxes (Bass & Piano)
Guitar Mic for Guitar Amplifier Cabinet
3 SM57 or equivalent Microphones
2 Monitor Mixes (Horns & Rhythm Section)
4 Monitors (Piano, Drums, Bass/Guitar, Horns)