David Baker. Photo by Kendall Reeves.

Next month, a new episode premieres as part of the IUMusicArchive series—WFIU’s continuing collaboration with the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music to broadcast recordings of music performances from their extensive archives. Jacobs Legacy: Jazz airs Saturday, May 17 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2 and Sunday, May 18 at 6 p.m. on WFIU.

Jacobs Legacy is a subseries of IUMusicArchive that explores the reach, depth, and impact of training at the IU Jacobs School of Music in the broader musical community. The subseries looks at one department and follows the studies of notable alumni through recordings from their time as students at Jacobs.

Jacobs Legacy: Jazz focuses on the jazz department, which has produced numerous jazz musicians, band leaders, and scholars who have gone on to lead prolific careers and perform with or create some of the most prestigious groups in the jazz world. The IU Jacobs School of Music has three jazz big bands, the Latin Jazz Ensemble, and multiple combos. IU jazz students are encouraged to perform regularly with their peers and create ad hoc ensembles. The world-class jazz faculty, coupled with robust performing experience, gives students opportunities not found at any other institution.

This episode features recordings from David Baker’s time as a student at Indiana University before he founded the Jazz Studies program in 1966. The program also includes archival recordings of the late Jerry Coker, bassist John Clayton, and more.