Wayne Bergeron, world-renowned trumpet player, has played with everyone from Beyoncé to Ray Charles. Tonight, he will add the University School of Music students to that list.

The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Union Theater, featuring both the LSU Jazz Ensemble and Lab Band with Bergeron as guest.

Bergeron, in addition to playing with artists as diverse as Earth, Wind & Fire, Celine Dion and Gwen Stefani, has appeared on more than 300 TV and motion picture soundtracks, including “The Incredibles” and “Toy Story 3,” according to a news release. Most recently, Bergeron played during the 85th Academy Awards.

Trumpet and jazz studies professor and director of the concert Brian Shaw said part of Bergeron’s success can be attributed to his mastering of the higher registers of his instrument.

“Entire movie soundtracks are written with him specifically in mind. He has played on nearly every TV series or movie soundtrack featuring the trumpet that has been recorded in Hollywood for the past 20 years,” Shaw said.

As for the students playing tonight, this concert presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“He is probably one of the best musicians I will ever get to play with,” said Dustin Hunter, saxophone performance junior.

Hunter is playing with the Jazz Ensemble and said he looks forward to playing lead alto for the first time in a big band with none other than Bergeron sharing the stage.

“It’s definitely a great honor and an amazing opportunity for everyone in jazz ensemble,” Hunter said.

The program tonight will feature songs written or arranged specifically for Bergeron, including “Maynard and Waynard,” which is to be played by the Lab Band. The second half of the concert will feature the Jazz Ensemble playing songs made famous by Bergeron’s late collaborator Maynard Ferguson, including, as Shaw said, “a couple of surprises.”

“I’m excited for people to hear us. I’m playing alongside some of the best musicians in the School of Music,” Dustin said.

With Bergeron as one of the most active trumpet players in the music business today, his involvement with the School of Music is that much

more meaningful. Shaw praised Bergeron, not only for his technical ability and improvisational skill but also for his generosity.

“Several of my trumpet students happen to be graduating this semester, so this concert is a really nice capstone to their years here at LSU,” Shaw said. “It’s always a privilege to play with someone of his caliber, who is at the very top of the music business internationally, so for our students, it’s an event that I know they won’t forget.”