Crossroads Jazz Orchestra

Directed by Dr. Todd Hastings
est. 2005

 The Crossroads Jazz Orchestra (formerly the Crowder Jazz Orchestra) was formed in the fall of 2005 and grew out of a love for traditional big band jazz music and a need for a community/ professional-based ensemble at Crowder Community College and the surrounding four state area. The band’s personnel are comprised of community and professional musicians alike. The collective personnel of the band have played with musical greats including Doc Severinsen, Joe Williams, Henry Mancini, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Wayne Newton, and Bob Mintzer. CJO has the ability to connect with audiences of all musical tastes and ages and often presents public concerts in tandem with educational outreach events. Recent concerts have included performances at the Liberty Theater, Webb City Jazz Festival, Crowder College, Missouri Southern State University, and the Pittsburg State University Jazz Festival.

This diverse ensemble presents repertoire ranging from classic jazz standards to arrangements by today’s leading big band composers and arrangers. Whether performing in concert halls, jazz festivals, or night clubs, the Crossroads Jazz Orchestra brings excitement and style to every performance.

Dr. Todd Hastings

TODD J. HASTINGS is a native of North Tonawanda, New York and is Professor of Trumpet at Pittsburg State University. Before coming to Pittsburg, Todd was visiting instructor of trumpet at Texas A & M University in Kingsville, Texas.

Dr. Hastings is an acclaimed performer and clinician in both the classical and commercial fields. His credits include performances with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, American Ballet Theater, New Texas Festival Orchestra, Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra, Austin Symphony, Doc Severinson, Aretha Franklin, Henry Mancini, Joe Williams, Curtis Fuller, Bob Mintzer, Woody Herman Orchestra, Claudio Roditi, KennyWheeler, Charlie Haden, Bernadette Peters, Ben Vereen and has performed as Lead Trumpet for the Broadway Touring company's production of Chicago.

Todd has been soloist and principal trumpet with the Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra and has also performed as part of the Strings in the Mountains Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Dr. Hastings was an award winner at the National Trumpet Competition and a finalist for the President’s Own Marine Band, Washington, D.C.  

Dr. Todd Hastings

 Todd is an in-demand clinician/educator and appears with jazz ensembles, orchestras, and concert bands throughout the mid-west and east coast. During the spring of 2008, Dr. Hastings was guest artist for Minot State University’s Day of Brass, and presented lectures and/or master classes at the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, The University of Louisville, and Buffalo State College.

Todd’s most recent creative endeavor is the founding of the Midwest Trumpet Festival at Pittsburg State University. The festival has attracted such guest artists as the American Brass Quintet, Vincent DiMartino, Joe Alessi, Billy Hunter, Byron Stripling, and Ryan Anthony. Hastings is also the founder, artistic director, and trumpet soloist with the Crowder Jazz Orchestra. The band has performed at major universities and jazz festivals in the four-state region including the Webb City Jazz Festival, Pittsburg State University Jazz Festival, Missouri Southern State University, and Crowder College. 

Dr. Todd Hastings

 Dr. Hastings is currently the trumpet professor at Pittsburg State University. His students have performed at the National Trumpet Competition and have appeared at the International Trumpet Guild Convention.

Dr. Hastings holds degrees from SUNY Buffalo, The University of Kentucky, and The University of Texas at Austin. His studies have also taken him to the Eastman School of Music and the Aspen Music Festival, where he was a fellowship recipient for three consecutive years. Todd’s teachers include David Kuehn, Raymond Crisara, Vince DiMartino, Chris Gekker, and Frank Cipolla.

Todd was recently honored with his induction into the North Tonawanda High School Arts and Sciences Wall of Fame. Todd and his wife, Stella, have two sons, Aiden and Daniel with whom they enjoy many laughs, smiles, silliness, travelling, and spending time in the outdoors.

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