The Chad Willis Jazz Orchestra returns to Campus JAX continuing our deep commitment to amazing of big band jazz — blazing brass, swinging grooves, and world-class musicianship.

Led by acclaimed trumpeter and bandleader Chad Willis, whose credits include USC Thornton, the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, Lyle Lovett’s Large Band, The Manhattan Transfer, Bill Holman, John Daversa, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Bob Mintzer, and more, this orchestra delivers the full power and elegance of the big band tradition with modern fire and precision.

Chad Willis is a Los Angeles-based trumpeter, bandleader, educator, professor, and clinician whose career spans jazz, classical, big band, commercial music, and live performance at the highest level. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas, where he played lead trumpet in the renowned One O’Clock Lab Band, as well as in the Jazz Repertory Ensemble and Two O’Clock Lab Band, while also serving as principal trumpet in both the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony.

Willis went on to earn his Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where he performed under the direction of Grammy-winning saxophonist and composer Bob Mintzer and recorded on Mintzer’s All L.A. Band project. During that period, he continued touring with Lyle Lovett and The Manhattan Transfer.

An in-demand performer throughout Southern California and beyond, Chad has worked with a wide range of artists and ensembles, including Bill Holman, John Daversa, Brian Bromberg, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Bob Mintzer, Don Randi, Tony Guerrero, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and many others. He is also a Schilke Featured Artist and serves as brass coordinator at Fullerton College, where he teaches trumpet, brass methods, jazz lab band, brass ensemble, music theory, and more.

With the Chad Willis Jazz Orchestra, he brings together exceptional musicians for a powerful, polished, and deeply swinging big band experience rooted in tradition but alive with contemporary energy.