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The Center for Jazz Composition was founded in 2004 as a formal research off-shoot of the University of South Florida School of Music and College of The Arts. Dedicated to assisting the continued worldwide growth, development, and appreciation of the role of the composer in jazz, the CJC is the only known institute of its kind. Its first programs were launched in 2005/2006 – envisioned and directed by Chuck Owen.
Chuck Owen is Distinguished University Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of South Florida where he also serves as the founding Director of the USF Center for Jazz Composition. A committed, passionate, and nationally respected educator for over 30 years; he is recognized these days, however, just as readily for his unique compositional voice and creative, colorful approach to arranging/orchestration.
The band was founded in1995 by its Director, Chuck Owen, who initially conceived of a jazz repertory ensemble that might serve a region well beyond its Tampa base. He, therefore, adopted the “South Eastern Repertory Jazz Ensemble” or SERJE as its initial name. After the first few rehearsals, however, Chuck was so enamored with the personnel and thrilled with their interpretation of his music that he decided to claim it almost exclusively for himself. SERJE became Surge and for over 10 years the band performed virtually no music other than that of Chuck’s.