School of Music

Jazz Ensembles 

Troubadours and Trouveres

The Troubadours and Trouveres are part of the jazz ensembles program at Tennessee Tech. The ensembles are open to both majors and non-majors. 

The first jazz ensemble formed at Tennessee Tech University was in 1948 by the Chairman of Music, Col. Maurice Haste. By the 1950s, the Troubadours played regularly at dances both on and off campus.

Many alumni of the Troubadours are now prominent educators and performers. The Boots Randolph Band, Disneyland, The Jack Daniel's Silver Cornet Band, and the London Symphony Orchestra are just a few examples of organizations whose performers are former members of the Troubadours.

Today, the Troubadours continue to perform throughout the region. In addition, the band features some of the finest names in jazz. Past guests have included Allen Vizzutti, Louie Bellson, Dan Hearle, Buddy Baker, Roger Pemberton, Bob Mintzer, Dominic Spera, David Baker, Jeff Jaskell, Tom Ervin, Jerry Tachoir, Jamey Aebersold, Frank Mantooth, Jimmy Rupp, Tom Wolfe, and others. The Troubadours have appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt, as part of a story on jazz great Louie Bellson.