Battle Royale! Swing into the golden age of jazz with the Flying Horse Big Band as they pay tribute to the legendary bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Directed by Saul Dautch ’18, this electrifying evening celebrates the timeless music of the swing era, featuring iconic tunes inspired by Basie, Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and more. Special guest vocalist Carla Cook will join the band for this unforgettable night.

The Flying Horse Big Band is one of the premier performing ensembles of the UCF Music Department. Under the direction of American saxophonist Jeff Rupert, they have appeared at the Montreux, Switzerland, and the North Sea Jazz Festivals, as well as numerous festival and concert appearances domestically. The band has played with Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Michael Mossman, James Moody, Nick Brignola, Harry Allen, Steve Turre, Rodney Holmes, Terry Gibbs, Marvin Stamm, Mulgrew Miller, John Swana, Kevin Mahogany, Lou Donaldson and Eric Alexander.

In 2011, the Flying Horse Big Band’s debut album Jazz Town climbed to 43 on the JazzWeek chart, and the band has been hitting national jazz charts ever since. Their 2012 release, The Blues is Alright topped out at 35 on JazzWeek’s chart. Subsequent recordings include The Blues is Alright (2012), Into the Mystic (2015), Big Man on Campus (2017), The Bat Swings (2018), Good News (2019) and The Florida Rays (2020). Most recently, in 2023, the band released A Message from the Flying Horse Big Band as a tribute to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Both The Florida Rays and A Message from the Flying Horse Big Band have charted to #1 on national (professional) music charts.

UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025: Transforming Experiences
Experience the innovative spirit of UCF through creative presentations that push the boundaries of traditional art forms.

Year-round on the UCF campus, students are immersed in the technology, theory, design, performance and practical application required for them to be the next generation of creative leaders. Every April, they converge at Dr. Phillips Center for a two-week cultural extravaganza, allowing our community to enjoy performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences. With a focus on accessibility, affordability, partnership, and diverse offerings, UCF Celebrates the Arts is a unique opportunity to experience the creative side of UCF. Learn more at arts.cah.ucf.edu/celebrates.

*Prices, shows, artists, dates and times are subject to change at any time without notice. By purchasing a ticket you are authorizing the Dr. Phillips Center to share your information with the producer. The views and opinions expressed within this show are those of the artist(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Dr. Phillips Center. Every guest entering the theater, including infants and children, requires a ticket. Children under the age of two are not permitted inside the theaters, unless noted otherwise. Parents should use discretion when deciding what shows are appropriate for their children.