Hunter caught McBride鈥檚 attention through a performance at the Montclair Jazz Festival and a subsequent recommendation from a mutual friend. A middle鈥憃f鈥憈he鈥憂ight text exchange sparked several performances together and ultimately resulted in Hunter鈥檚 participation in the album.

鈥淏eing part of Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 was truly an honor,鈥� Hunter says. 鈥淲orking with Christian and this incredible roster of artists reminded me how deeply connected the jazz community is to the broader musical landscape. Serving as the drummer on the project carried a real responsibility, as Christian鈥檚 music draws from many styles and traditions. Seeing the album recognized at this level is no surprise given the artistry and vision Christian brings, but for me the entire experience has been both humbling and inspiring.鈥�

The album, which was released in August 2025, features many notable artists, including a reunion of Sting and Andy Summers from The Police on the track Murder by Numbers. Hunter says that the opportunity to work behind these artists as well as Samara Joy, Dianne Reeves, Jeffrey Osborne and others was a powerful reminder of how versatile and alive jazz music continues to be.

Hunter鈥檚 role on the album is representative of the depth of professional experience found in 麻豆原创 musicians, and a practice of public performance and collaboration that is central to the jazz studies approach to teaching and learning.

The jazz studies program, under the direction of saxophonist Jeff Rupert, offers students a comprehensive foundation in performance, composition and production, supported by experiences that mirror the professional world. Students regularly perform in large ensembles such as the Flying Horse Big Band and in smaller chamber groups, work in professional recording environments, and engage with guest artists through the 麻豆原创鈥揙rlando Jazz Festival and other events in the community. Resources such as an NPR-affiliated jazz station and an in-house recording label further position the program as a training ground for modern jazz careers.

Hunter joins two other 麻豆原创 music faculty who have earned recognition from the Recording Academy. Jeff Rupert performed on Benny Carter鈥檚 award-winning album Harlem Renaissance (1992) and Director of Choral Activities Jeffery Redding received the 2019 Grammy Music Educator Award for his significant contributions to music education.

鈥淭his trifecta is a first,鈥� said Jeff Rupert, director of the program and band. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not often that college jazz programs receive this kind of recognition. The band shares the charts with Chick Corea, Nicholas Payton, Diana Krall, Peter Erskine and other luminaries in jazz.鈥�

Big Man on Campus, released earlier this year, reached No. 7 on the North American College and Community Radio chart, No. 9 on the Roots Music Report, and No. 36 on Jazz Week.

The album is the eighth released by Flying Horse Records, the music label operated by the university to give students an outlet to record and learn about the world of music. The 11 songs on the album were composed by Henry Mancini, Billy Strayhorn, Antonio Carlos Jobim and others, including the title track B.M.O.C. by Rupert.

The band鈥檚 success can be attributed to 鈥渒eeping artistry at the forefront of the project,鈥� Rupert said. With graduations constantly changing the chemistry of the band, it鈥檚 always 鈥渓ike recruiting for a football team. At the beginning of the year I get a feel for the talent in the band once auditions are concluded. That鈥檚 when I can program and write for the band. This allows us to accentuate strengths and create scenarios that challenge the students.鈥�

He said some of the notable jazz-studies students on Big Man on Campus include saxophonist Saul Dautch, guitarist Ryan Waszmer and freshman trombonist Christian Herrera.

Rupert joined one of the songs on saxophone, and Jeff Moore, dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, also added percussion on a couple of the tracks.

The band鈥檚 new student lineup will begin rehearsing in late August and start off the school year with an on-campus performance at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 in Room 101 of the Nicholson School of Communication. They鈥檒l follow that up with a performance at the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival at 1 p.m. Oct. 14.

鈥淲e are happy to be cultivating an environment of excellence and relevance for our students,鈥� Rupert said. 鈥淪tay tuned for our next release, The Bat Swings!,聽 due out this fall 鈥� the music of Batman!.鈥�

When 麻豆原创 music professor Kelly Miller was alerted that Groban鈥檚 management was seeking a talented Central Florida music student who was also a skilled jazz player, she immediately recommended Lewis. He was subsequently engaged to perform three dates with Groban. The performances are Feb. 28 in Sarasota at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, March 1 in Clearwater at the Ruth Eckerd Hall, and March 2 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando.

Lewis says he is both excited and prepared for the performance.

鈥淚 think my preparation comes from a combination of intensive training on the instrument through lessons, my knowledge gained about improvisation and musical performance from my degree track, and my experience from multiple performances at 麻豆原创.鈥�

麻豆原创 audiences may recognize Lewis from his participation in the Flying Horse Big Band. He was accepted into the premier student jazz ensemble his freshman year and is now the longest standing member of the ensemble. He studies with 麻豆原创 music professor John Almeida.

Lewis will take the stage to join Groban as he sings 鈥淥ld Devil Moon鈥� from his latest CD 鈥淪tages.鈥� Lewis will be following in the footsteps of great jazz trumpet players Arturo Sandoval and Chris Botti, who have both recorded with Groban.

鈥淚 am looking forward to getting to network and work with more professional聽musicians, and having the opportunity to share my sound with such聽a large amount of people,鈥� said Lewis.

For more information about the 麻豆原创 School of Performing Arts, visit