During the spring of 2006, a group of enterprising students saw a need to create a jazz ensemble at Briar Cliff University -- something that had been missing from the music program for many years.  Upon presenting the idea to the Provost and Chair of the Music Department, the Briar Cliff Jazz Ensemble became a reality.

Under the direction of Robert Gibson, this auditioned ensemble performs a wide variety of styles ranging from traditional standards by Duke Ellington and Count Basie to Latin Jazz and Fusion.  The Jazz Ensemble presents several on-campus performances and can also be heard off-campus at various nightclub venues in the region.