Jazz fans and those who enjoy Western Swing have a thrill in store, as Cameron University welcomes Greg Burgess and Oklahoma Swing back to campus for its 46th annual Country-Jazz Fusion. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in the University Theatre, 27th Street and A Avenue.
Just as they did last year for the 45th edition of Country-Jazz Fusion, the Cameron University Jazz Ensemble and the Lawton Jazz Orchestra will join Burgess and Oklahoma Swing onstage. Both local groups are under the direction of CU associate music professor Dr. JD Little.
The inaugural "Country-Jazz Fusion '81" – created by then-CU music professor Dr. John Moots – established a unique musical tradition at Cameron that blended the seemingly opposite genres of big-band jazz, Western Swing and country music in an event that has entertained southwest Oklahoma music lovers for nearly a half-century.
Burgess has played guitar and fiddle for more than 40 years, cutting his teeth as a child under the mentorship of “Famous Amos” Hedrick, fiddler for country legend Hank Thompson. He has been influenced by a host of noted local fiddlers such as Ace Sewell, Russell O'Neal, Orville Burns, Merle David and, of course, Byron Berline, who helped form Burgess’ fiddling style during the 20 years he was in Berline’s band.
Burgess won the Oklahoma State Fiddle Championship several times and has been ranked in the top 10 at many national level fiddle contests. He is included in the Folk Life section of the Oklahoma History Center and is a member of the Western Swing Hall Fame.
He has recorded or shared the stage with country stars like Leon Rausch, Jody Miller, Mel Tillis, Moe Bandy, Billy Walker, Wanda Jackson, Becky Hobbs, Red Stegall, Suzy Boggus and Asleep at the Wheel.
The 2026 Country-Jazz Fusion will open with Winston Hartley providing vocals for the CU Jazz Ensemble in “Feelin’ Good.” The group will present its version of “Taking a Chance on Love,” featuring Lillie Wright on vocals, followed by “Alone Together” with vocalist Makenzy Linville. The band will also perform “Come Fly with Me,” sung by Mvnte July, before all four vocalists join on “Lullaby of Broadway.”
Oklahoma Swing will join the jazz ensemble in Western Swing favorites with its arrangements of “Old Fashioned Love,” “Rosetta” and “Boot Hill Drag,” all from its most recent CD.
The Lawton Jazz Orchestra will open its portion of the program with the Quincy Jones classic, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” then will be joined by Burgess and his band for “Oklahoma Stomp,” “My Window Faces South,” “Milk Cow Blues” and “Bring it on Down to My House” from its most recent CD.
Cameron Jazz Ensemble personnel include the saxophone section comprised of Irmtraud Bryant of Meers, Kyle Daugherty of Cache, Collin Fallon and Hayley Kousman of Lawton, and Pinkie Moon of Anadarko; the trumpet section made up of Owen Ellis of Elgin, Johnny Griner of Cache, and Nicolas Raso and Micaela Wermy, all of Lawton; Rolen Mayes of Lawton on clarinet; the trombone section made up of Isaiah Moncrief of Altus and Tavien Todd and Kenneth Williams, both of Lawton; the rhythm section comprised of Concepcion Ronquillo of Lawton on piano, Melody Veloz of Elgin on bass, and Damein Shugard of Lawton on drums. Vocals will be provided by Winston Hartley, Mvnte July, Makenzy Linville and Lillie Wright, all of Lawton.
Musicians in the Lawton Jazz Orchestra are JD Little, Collin Fallon, Ed Hefti, Michele Jones and Megan Levendosky, all on saxophone; Brian Francis, Jeremiah Phillips, Owen Ellis and Janette Garton on trumpet; Derik Daubenspeck, Richard Mills, Lonnie Snodgrass, Pam Francis and Mallory Davis on trombone. The rhythm section is made up of Steve Story on guitar, David Jackson on piano, K Kay Alsobrook on bass and Monty Booker on drums.
Admission to the concert is free, but a ticket is required. Tickets can be reserved by calling 580-581-2346. The CU box office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets can also be reserved online at www.cameron.edu/art-music-and-theatre/events/buy-tickets.
Cameron University’s 2026 Country-Jazz Fusion is made possible by a generous contribution from CU Lectures and Concerts.
PR#26-110
