Hot Summer Nights, Cool Jazz, the LSU School of Music’s trademark annual summer jazz series, returns for two special edition performances featuring the new Connections Repertory Orchestra, LSU School of Music jazz faculty, and prominent local artists.

New to the lineup for 2022 is the Connections Repertory Orchestra. Led by LSU Boyd Professor of Piano & Jazz Studies Willis Delony, this 15-piece ensemble is dedicated to exploring music across a wide spectrum, from Bach and Duke Ellington to French Romanticism and contemporary jazz.

Both evenings will also feature the sounds of Hot Summer Nights regulars and local favorites, such as Bill Grimes, bass, John Gray, trumpet, Doug Stone, saxophone, John Bishop, guitar, Ray Moore, saxophone, Chad Braud, drums, and John Madere, bass.

Admission to both performances will be free, however, advance registration will be required due to limited seating. In lieu of paid admission, patrons interested in supporting the LSU School of Music are asked to make donations to the school’s general scholarship fund through the LSU Foundation.