History (Joe's Place)
The genesis of jazz at Northeastern State University can arguably be traced to Dr. Lowell Lehman, professor emeritus of music at NSU, who started the university’s first jazz band in the late 1960s, and who founded of the Green Country Jazz Festival in the early 1970s. Lehman was responsible for bringing the biggest and most popular touring artists in jazz to Tahlequah, among them the Count Basie Orchestra, Buddy Rich Band, and Maynard Ferguson.
In 1992, former NSU President Roger Webb approached the university's instructor of jazz, Joe Davis, to ask about finding a place where jazz students could practice their craft and other NSU students could come together in an informal atmosphere to enjoy this music. Over the next several months, Webb and his staff developed a plan of action that led to the construction of the NSU Jazz Lab.
The NSU Jazz Lab was designed and built in 1993 by the NSU Physical Plant under the leadership of Bob Patrick. The building provided a unique classroom and performance facility for the NSU jazz program.
The lobby area was designed in a style reminiscent of the New Orleans' French Quarter. The beautiful light fixture was actually, at one time, in the home of Merle Travis, famed guitarist who lived near Tahlequah. The box office, pre-show seating, and public restrooms are located in the lobby. The main room seats approximately 130 cabaret style, 96 on the floor level and 34 in the balcony. The Bistro at 315, located in the main room, opens during performances and serves great coffees, teas and desserts. Throughout the lobby and main room are several large photographs of artists who have graced the stage of the NSU Jazz Lab.
Joe Davis moved his office and the jazz program to the Jazz Lab at the beginning of the 1993 fall semester. All jazz related classes, jazz concerts and Joe's private lessons were held there. Webb also appointed Brad Henderson to manage the daily operations of the facility. In the years following, some tremendous music passed through the NSU Jazz Lab, both from Joe and his students and from touring professionals booked by Henderson.
Tragically, Joe Davis died of colon cancer in 1995. According to his wishes, the community held a party in his honor, complete with a New Orleans style processional through downtown ending at the Jazz Lab. Webb placed a neon sign over the stage door. It simply read "Joe's Place". The memories of Joe and his students Jacob Farinelli and Mike Antle are secure with those who follow jazz in Oklahoma and the region. Their contributions to jazz and life in general in this area of the country were enormous and they are sorely missed.
In the spring of 1996, NSU hired a talented young saxophonist from the University of North Texas to lead the NSU Jazz Studies program. Under the inspiring leadership and talent of Will Campbell, the NSU Jazz Band received superior ratings at the highly competitive Wichita Jazz Festival for three straight years. Campbell was also instrumental in creating Oklahoma’s only undergraduate jazz degree program.
Though Campbell left NSU to accept a position as director of jazz studies at UNC-Charlotte in his home state of North Carolina, his impact on the NSU jazz program remains strong.
In the fall of 2004, another gifted young saxophonist, Arthur White from UNC-Greensboro, became NSU’s third full-time director of jazz studies since the inception of the jazz studies program. White has expanded the program to include a second large jazz ensemble, numerous jazz combos, and added a course in jazz education and pedagogy. White also produced Oklahoma’s first internationally-released and critically acclaimed university jazz CDs; Hour of the Pearl with guest artist Scott Wendholt, Appointment in Milano with jazz legend Bobby Watson, and The Point with superstar guitarist Henry Johnson.
The NSU Jazz Ensemble has performed with hundreds of world-renowned guest artists including Joe Lovano, Byron Stripling, Dennis Mackrel, Slide Hampton, Frank Mantooth, Kevin Mahogany, Robin Eubanks, Peter Erskine, and many others.
Since Brad Henderson, others have held the title of Jazz Lab Manager, including trombonist Rod Clark, trumpeter Bobby Asher, and, currently, pianist Shane Ohlson.
The NSU Jazz Studies program has grown to include a second jazz ensemble and multiple small groups, and now also offers a BA in Music with a major in Jazz Studies, another first for NSU and Oklahoma. The Green Country Jazz Festival is thriving, now in its 4th decade, and is one of the nation's longest running jazz festivals.
For information regarding the Joe Davis/Jacob Farinelli scholarship endowment, please contact John Gyllin at the NSU Foundation 918-456-5511 Ext. 4207.