Big Band and Latin Ensemble featuring Dustan Cox

On Thursday 5 June, the Elder Conservatorium's Jazz Department presented a concert in the Scott Theatre to celebrate the extraordinary work and career of long-term jazz lecturer Dustan Cox, whose contributions to the jazz department over more than 30 years have influenced generations of musicians.

Dusty joined the Elder Conservatorium Latin Ensemble (directed by Head of Jazz Mark Simeon Ferguson), the Elder Conservatorium Big Band (directed by Alex Taylor), The Wardells (directed by Lauren Henderson) and also appeared as part of the Dustan Cox Quintet, featuring himself on tenor saxophone alongside Alex Taylor (trombone), Lauren Logozzo (voice), Mark Simeon Ferguson (piano), Dr Lyndon Gray (bass) and Wade Nixon (drums). It was a dazzling night of jazz featuring Dusty's own compositions and a collection of his favourite standards (arranged specially for this concert), culminating with a new adaptation of Mark Ferguson's suite 1959: The Twin Precipice (written especially for Dusty and first performed by him and the Elder Conservatorium Studio Orchestra in 2019).

It was great to have our 'new' jazz venue christened with such a large audience of jazz lovers from right across the age spectrum. Special mention to Nick Sverdloff, our sound engineer (one of Dusty's former saxophone students), and in-house technician Dylan Cooper for working so quickly to make the sound so clean and clear. Thanks and congratulations to all involved for giving us such a memorable concert!