The Jazz Lab Band had performed over forty years along side the Jazz Ensemble I (now the Jazz Orchestra) and the Jazz Ensemble II (now the UNL Big Band). The performances included both published works, from early to modern jazz, as well as student-composed works. The Lab Band consisted of both music and non-music majors and had around 20 students who auditioned every semester for a position (Richards). The band toured both regionally and nationally to participate in festivals and competitions. The regional tours were also used as recruitment for talented players (Richards)

Formerly known as Jazz Ensemble I until January 2012 _(Richards), the Jazz Orchestra has been performing for over 40 years. The Jazz Orchestra has been considered one of the most visible performing groups from the School of Music as well as the university’s showcase jazz organization _{(Sch. of Music).}  The Orchestra performs a combination of pieces composed by students and published pieces by jazz artists from Duke Ellington to some of today’s contemporary artists _{(Sch. of Music)}. Participation in the Orchestra is based on auditions every semester _{(Sch. of Music)}. The Orchestra generally consists of about 20 performers, both music majors and non-music majors _(Richards). The Orchestra does tour the Midwest region for recruitment of talented players as well as for jazz festivals and competitions _(Richards). They have both traveled nationally as well.

The UNL Big Band, formerly the Jazz Ensemble II before 2012, has been performing along-side the Jazz Orchestra for over 40 years. The Big Band works as a vital element of the jazz program to motivate and inform prospective music educators and teachers _{(Sch. of Music)}. The repertoire of the Big Band is filled with student-composed pieces and published works, from early jazz to modern contemporary jazz _(Richards). The Big Band is generally filled with around 20 students, music majors as well as non-music majors, who audition every semester for a position _(Richards). Along with the Jazz Orchestra, the Big Band tours both regionally in the Midwest and nationally for jazz festivals and competitions. These tours are also used to recruit talented players to the university(Richards).