If you have been involved in the Jazz Studies program at UCO (Central State) you know about the legendary Vince Norman. Our students have played his compositions and arrangements in nearly every concert since he was a student in the 1980s. Vince left Central before graduating to play with the United States Army Jazz Ambassadors in Washington DC. After an amazing career, he retired, and returned to UCO to finish his Undergraduate and complete his Master’s degree. Vince’s spirit and longing for knowledge has made everyone around him better. Ask any music professor, student, or administrator at UCO and they will tell you some way that Vince has inspired them.
$15 Tickets
Purchase Tickets Online
or by calling (405) 974-2100
Purchase Tickets Online
or by calling (405) 974-2100
Vince Norman, the son of saxophonist Ray Norman who played with the big bands of Claude Thornhill and Charlie Barnett and with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys in the late forties and early fifties, has been exposed to music all his life through his first official introduction to jazz was through his eighth-grade band director, Paul Brewer. While playing with the Del City High School Jazz Ensemble he was offered his first gig with the Rick Swyden Big Band at age 16 and has been going non-stop ever since.
Vince has played concert tours in Europe, Japan, India, Mexico, and Canada and has played in all 50 states except Alaska. He has performed with such notables as Arturo Sandoval, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Butch Miles, Marvin Hamlisch, Toots Thielmans, Marvin Stamm, Jamey Aebersold, Tommy Tune, Hal Linden, The Four Aces, The Four Freshmen, The Temptations, and even Joan Rivers. He has also performed with the National Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, and with the Cincinnati Pops at several venues including Carnegie Hall.