Valley Jazz Orchestra Releases Second Commercial Release
Jungle Book features original compositions by Dr. Justin Morell.
Annville, PA (09/26/2025) — The Valley Jazz Orchestra (VJO), Lebanon Valley College's flagship large jazz ensemble, presents its second commercial release, Jungle Book. The orchestra is co-directed by Dr. Jeff Lovell, Associate Professor of Music, and Dr. Justin Morell, Professor of Music. Dana Lovell designed the album cover.
Jungle Book was performed, recorded, and produced by LVC students in coordination with LVC's jazz and audio and music production facilities. The album features four original compositions by Morell and the following students and recent graduates: Taiylor Adams '27, David Graff '28, Johnny Grisbacher '26, John Mattiko '27, Rhys Sherman '26, Emilie Whitewolf '25, and Aidan Younkin '28. The band was joined by multi-Grammy-nominated trombonist Alan Ferber and New York-based saxophonist Hashem Assadullahi, both of whom served as artists-in-residence with the VJO during the 24-25 academic year.
Jungle Book is available for streaming through the band's Bandcamp site and via all major streaming services. The album will also be available on a limited-edition vinyl LP in late October. The band will celebrate the album release during Homecoming on Oct. 12, at 3 p.m. Vinyl copies will be available for sale at the annual Fall VJO concert on Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Leedy Theater of LVC's Mund College Center.
Contact Jeff Lovell (lovell@lvc.edu) or Justin Morell (morell@lvc.edu) with questions about Jungle Book or the Valley Jazz Orchestra.
About LVC
Lebanon Valley College, founded in 1866, offers 50 majors in the health professions, sciences, education, business and digital media, and the arts and humanities. Hands-on learning, internships, and research are emphasized. LVC offers five direct-entry (bachelor's to master's) programs to streamline graduates' entry into Valley graduate programs in business and the health professions.
Close faculty-student relationships and mentoring are hallmarks of the LVC experience on its beautiful 370-acre campus. The College encourages student participation in athletics-with 40% competing as NCAA Division III student-athletes in the Middle Atlantic Conference-and student leadership and involvement in over 90 clubs and organizations. LVC offers generous financial aid and guaranteed merit scholarships that exceeds $50 million annually, with 100% of students receiving LVC financial aid or scholarships most years. Career success is integrated into the curriculum through the Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Career and Professional Development, starting during the first year on campus.
Eight miles from Hershey, Pennsylvania, this college of 1,600 undergraduate and over 400 graduate students produces alumni who attend prestigious graduate and professional schools and are employed by top companies and school districts.
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