What’s considered by many to be the top university jazz band in the country and one of the best in the world is now under the leadership of a University of Southern Mississippi alumnus.

Steve Wiest, a Hattiesburg native who graduated with a degree in jazz studies from Southern Miss in 1980, was recently appointed permanent director of the One O’Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas, after having served as its interim director.
He was chosen for the position following a national search.

The UNT One O’Clock Lab Band is a Grammy-nominated 19-piece ensemble that has toured around the world and is a key component of UNT’s renowned jazz program.

"I’m very honored and thrilled to be named the new director of the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band. I have known of the group ever since USM's own Raoul Jerome gave me their Grammy-nominated Lab '75 record to listen to back in the 1970s,” Wiest said.

A graduate of Hattiesburg High School, Wiest performed in the Southern Miss Jazz Lab Band as a student under Jerome, a retired Southern Miss jazz professor who founded the university’s jazz studies program. Jerome is also an alumnus of UNT and performed with the One O’Clock Jazz Lab Band while a student there.

Wiest credits Jerome’s mentorship and his education at Southern Miss for his career success. “I owe Raoul and USM everything, and I am forever grateful for my Hattiesburg roots."

At Southern Miss, Wiest also performed with the university's Symphony Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band as well as with various jazz groups. He also worked with backup bands in Jackson and on the Gulf Coast for the likes of Bob Hope, Rich Little and Nelson Riddle, among others.

“I’m so proud of Steve and honored that he continues to credit his education and experiences at Southern Miss for his success,” Jerome said.

He was nominated last year for a GRAMMY in the category of Best Instrumental Arrangement for his work on the final album of the late jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, a piece titled “Besame Mucho” on Ferguson’s “The One and Only.”

Wiest joined the Ferguson group in 1981 and left in 1986 to begin graduate studies at North Texas, where he conducted one of the lab bands and also wrote arrangements for and soloed with the One O'Clock Lab Band. After earning his master of music degree, he spent two years as director of jazz studies at the University of Texas at Arlington and later became the director of jazz studies and trombone at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Wiest has also performed with the Doc Severinson Big Band and worked nationally and internationally as a clinician.

Larry Panella, associate professor of music and director of jazz studies at Southern Miss, said many Southern Miss students like Wiest who continued their music studies at UNT have gone on to perform in notable bands, including Tom "Bones" Malone (Saturday Night Live, Blues Brothers, David Letterman), Tom Brantley (Rhythm and Brass) and Tom Luer (Queen Latifah, Mike Barone Big Band), among others.

Panella said having both a Hattiesburg native and Southern Miss alumnus chosen as the new leader of the One O’Clock Lab Band makes the appointment all the more exciting.

“He brings a wealth of artistry from his years as a top-notch performer and composer, and it’s hard to imagine anyone better suited for the post,” Panella said. “He knows the traditions of the program, and yet brings new ideas with him.”

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About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.