Paul Creative Arts Center. Bratton Recital Hall, M-135

For four decades, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO) has stood among the world's premier large jazz ensembles, combining virtuosic musicianship, inspired compositions, and the unmistakable spirit of swing. Founded in Los Angeles in 1986 by bassist and arranger John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton, and the late saxophonist Jeff Clayton, the 19-piece orchestra has earned international acclaim for performances that celebrate the rich traditions of big band jazz while continually pushing the music forward. The orchestra's signature sound is rooted in John Clayton's masterful writing and the collective artistry of some of the finest jazz musicians on the West Coast. Influenced by the legacies of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Thad Jones, CHJO has developed a voice that is distinctly its own—elegant, energetic, and deeply expressive. Over the years, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra has received multiple Grammy nominations and has appeared on acclaimed recordings with artists including Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Natalie Cole, Milt Jackson, Charles Aznavour, Barbara Morrison, and Ernie Andrews. The ensemble also served as the resident jazz orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl from 1999-2001 and continues to perform at major festivals and concert halls throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. East Coast appearances by the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra are exceptionally rare, making this performance a unique opportunity to experience one of jazz's most celebrated ensembles live. As the orchestra celebrates its 40th anniversary, audiences can expect an unforgettable evening of extraordinary musicianship, improvisation, and swing that only the CHJO can deliver.

Paul Creative Arts Center. Bratton Recital Hall, M-135 Please join us for an evening with the Internationally Acclaimed New York Voices in Bratton Recital Hall! This event will provide the opportunity to hear from the singers themselves about their careers, great stories and memories, and for the audience to be able to ask questions. We hope you will join us for this free event!

UNH Jazz Bands. Nathan Jorgensen, director. UNH Chamber Singers. Amy Kotsonis, conductor Join the UNH Chamber Singers, 3 O'Clock Jazz Band, Vocal Arts Project, and Internationally Acclaimed New York Voices in concert in Johnson Theatre at 8 pm on Wednesday, November 18! This concert is free for UNH students (you still need to obtain a free ticket), $5 for non-UNH students, and $10 for everyone else. Seating is general admission, and be purchased here:

Sarah Hanahan is a dynamic, soulful alto saxophonist swiftly emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in jazz. A graduate of both the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and The Juilliard School, she blends deep-rooted swing and bebop traditions with a bold, modern intensity—an approach shaped by her rigorous training and fearless artistic vision. Since stepping onto the scene, Hanahan has performed with an extraordinary range of jazz luminaries, including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nicholas Payton, Peter Washington, and Joe Farnsworth. Her commanding tone, technical mastery, and melodic imagination have taken her to major stages across the U.S. and abroad, with regular appearances at premier New York venues such as Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, and Smoke Jazz & Supper Club. Her debut album, Among Giants (2024)—featuring Marc Cary, Nat Reeves, and Jeff “Tain” Watts—earned critical acclaim, including a 5-star review in DownBeat magazine and placement in their Top Albums of the Year list in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, Hanahan was named DownBeat’s #1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist and ranked #9 overall alto saxophonist in the DownBeat Readers Poll—placing her alongside legends such as Kenny Garrett and Gary Bartz and further cementing her status as one of the leading voices of her generation. Whether fronting her own quartet or collaborating with some of the music’s most revered artists, Sarah Hanahan plays with passion, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the ever-evolving art of jazz.