The UCF Jazz Studies program has the Flying Horse Big Band, which is a big band that plays in the Jazz Studies program. It was previously known as UCF Jazz Ensemble 1 until February 2013. This band is one of only a few college groups that had both its 2011 and 2012 professional recordings on Flying Horse Records. They also reached the top 50 on JazzWeek’s JazzWeek charts. Professor Jeff Rupert, a jazz musician and saxophonist from the USA, directs the Flying Horse Big Band. It has performed at various music festivals as well as appearing at concert halls across the country. In 2005, the band premiered a new composition by Sam Rivers that featured Rivers as well as the RIVBEA Orchestra. The 2005 world premiere for a double big band composition by Sam Rivers was performed by the UCF Jazz Ensemble I. Their 2011 debut album Jazz Town reached 43 on JazzWeek’s chart. Their 2012 album, The Blues is Alright, climbed to 43 on the JazzWeek chart in 2011. The UCF Jazz Ensemble 1 was renamed The Flying Horse Big Band in 2013. From Wikipedia
