A Salute to Maurice White
The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra honors the legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White with the world premiere of newly discovered orchestral music he composed for SJO, alongside symphonic arrangements of classic EWF songs.
Saturday, May 9, 2026 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2026 – 7:00 PM
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach
CONCERTS
We are torchbearers for symphonic jazz, an innovative hybrid form of music blending the worlds of jazz and classical music.
The 68-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is a unique hybrid ensemble dedicated to blending the worlds of jazz and classical music, comprised of Hollywood's finest studio musicians. Every year, this orchestra performs a low-cost symphonic jazz concert for the community at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Cal State Long Beach.
Since its debut in 2002, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra has commissioned 22 new works, and performed 29 premieres.
Soloists who have joined the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra include George Duke, Christian McBride, Dave Grusin, Raul Midon, Lee Ritenour, Justo Almario, Bill Cunliffe, Lesa Terry, Ernie Watts, The Yellowjackets, Keyon Harrold, Chris Brubeck, Miguel Zénon, Marcus Roberts, Jane Monheit, Luciana Souza, and Hubert Laws.
