From performing concerts to playing jazz music in their free time, the Ferris State Jazz Band allows students to do what they love while connecting to their local community.
Being a part of the jazz band allows students to perform groovy, classical and upbeat pieces while playing their favorite instruments. Membership is open to students and members of the Ferris community. Rehearsals take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. in room 108 of the Music Center.
The jazz band performed its first concert of the semester on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Williams Auditorium. The first performance was their Fall Jazz Concert, and the music spanned from classical performers such as Benny Carter to Pat Metheny.
Jazz band director and music professor Micah Laird has just recently taken over the director position after associate music professor Matt Moresi stepped down. Only being the director for about two months, Laird shared his feelings about taking on the role.
“It’s a huge honor and I’m very blessed to have it,” Laird said. “What Matt [Moresi] has done these last 20 years is incredible. The way he cultivated the culture and the community that is wanting to grow is amazing. Being able to step into that to make music with these people who want to be here because they love it is something I treasure.”
Laird enjoys conducting jazz music because of how unique it is compared to other music genres, and recognizes various aspects that make music great.
“Jazz music is about personality,” Laird said. “There’s flexibility, there’s room for error, there’s room for personality and there’s room for creativity. It feels like you can let your shoulders loose while you’re playing the music and just be in it in the moment.”
Currently, the jazz band has 22 members. The band has various woodwind, trumpet and trombone players. The band also consists of two bass players, one pianist, one guitarist and one member on the drum set.
Facilities management senior Tony Sgrazzutti, who plays the trumpet, has played jazz music for many years, shaping his love and passion for jazz music.
“I started playing in sixth grade,” Sgrazzutti said. “I ended up playing for many great jazz bands, and I played gigs. I got taught by great teachers in the Detroit area. Jazz is like a part of my soul. I just get jazz. I understand the language and I love it. Being a part of the jazz band is the perfect opportunity to play jazz and to spend time with friends.”
During their first concert, the jazz band played a total of six pieces. All of the pieces were either traditional or were performed by famous jazz artists. Almost all of the pieces featured a solo or multiple soloists.
Accounting junior Cece Bell, who plays the baritone saxophone, revealed which piece was her favorite to play.
“My favorite piece that we played was ‘Make Me Smile’ by Chicago,” Bell said. “That piece just had a nice little groove to it and was overall really fun to play. Many little parts in there are really fun to play, and as a group, I feel like we played this one pretty good.”
Bell also believes it is important that more students join the jazz band because of the way music impacts people’s lives.
“I think it is important that people join jazz band because music is all around us and in our lives a lot,” Bell said. “People learn so many life skills through playing music, and making music is fun, so people should join.”
The jazz band has a handful of concerts remaining for the fall 2025 semester. Fall concerts include a Veterans Day concert on Sunday, Nov. 9, a holiday jazz concert on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and more.
For more information about the jazz band and their upcoming concerts, contact the faculty and staff at the Music Center.