The award-winning Frost Jazz Orchestra at the Frost School of Music is renowned for its outstanding musicianship, inspired performances, soloists, and well-crafted original arrangements. Under the direction of Dr. John Daversa, the large jazz ensemble continues its storied history into a new era. The ensemble has won countless Downbeat Student Music Awards throughout its history, including “Outstanding Performance” and “Best Graduate Large Ensemble.”

Frost Jazz Orchestra was awarded 1st place in the College Big Band Division at the 2014 and 2016 Next Generation Jazz Festivals and subsequently invited to perform at Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA. In December 2017, Frost CJB partnered with ArtistShare/BFM Jazz to release the album Europa, featuring large jazz ensemble works influenced by European composers. The band has numerous tours, recordings and prestigious collaborations to its credit. Recent guest artists include Ignacio Berroa, David Binney, Terence Blanchard, Ronnie Cuber, Jon Faddis, Alan Ferber, Jimmy Heath, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Vince Mendoza, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Maria Schneider.