Bandleaders Mark Buselli and Brent Wallarab are a class act positively impacting the state of jazz in Indiana. So when some of us worried over the surety of this dynamic duo as a fixture on our jazz scene, good news arrived. IU Jacobs School of Music appointed Wallarab to the jazz faculty following a national search to fill a jazz arranging, composition and conducting position.

“It’s very exciting to be a part of this great music program with my mentor and teacher David Baker and the rest of the faculty,” says Wallarab, recognized nationally as the leading authority on historical composition for jazz orchestras. “The quality of students is so tremendously high it gives me an opportunity to learn from them because they know current trends of jazz.” Wallarab is BWJO’s artistic director.

Meanwhile, Ball State University named Mark Buselli director of jazz studies. For the past eight years, Buselli has been at Butler University as director of jazz studies and director of the Butler Jazz Ensemble. He’s also presented jazz programs for children in greater Indianapolis as education director of the 17-piece Buselli Wallarab Jazz Orchestra.

New academic positions for Buselli and Wallarab won’t slow down progress this year with their big band.

“In August, this orchestra is going into Indianapolis-based Owl Studios to record two new CDs to be released in 2009 and 2010,” Buselli says. “This fall’s BWJO release, which was recorded last year, features a collection of songs with Everett Greene and Cynthia Layne.

“And yes, BWJO’s 10- to 12-piece Midcoast Swing Orchestra will continue to be at the Jazz Kitchen every Tuesday,” Buselli assures.