The Kent State University Jazz Ensembles will host a free performance on Wednesday, April 24, at 8 p.m. in the University Auditorium at Cartwright Hall, located at 650 Hilltop Drive, with free parking located off of Terrace Drive in Kent.
Jazz Ensembles 1 and 2, two groups of approximately 18 students each, will perform a variety of works.
Jazz Ensemble 1’s performance will include Miles Davis and Gil Evans’ “Blues for Pablo,” Duke Ellington’s “Happy-Go-Lucky Local” and Pat Metheny’s “Minuano.”
Jazz Ensemble 2 will perform such works as Neal Hefti’s “Li’l Darlin’,” Ann Ronell’s “Willow Weep for Me” and Duke Ellington’s “Harlem Air Shaft.”
“The audience will have a chance to hear our Kent State University Jazz Ensembles perform historically significant and artistically creative music, including original music by Northeast Ohio jazz musicians,” says Robert Selvaggio, assistant professor in jazz studies.
The work of Northeast Ohio composers featured in the concert will include “If Thou” by Paul Ferguson and “Wags Chili” by Mark Russo. Russo, a trumpet player, will also perform as a guest soloist at the concert.
The Jazz Ensemble is composed of both undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning about and performing jazz music. The students are a combination of music performance and education majors, jazz minors and students with majors outside of music.
The group works in a variety of jazz styles, including Dixieland, swing, be-bop, contemporary big band, salsa and fusion.
Kent State students can earn 500 FLASHperks points by attending this performance.
For more information about the Jazz Ensembles and the many other ensembles in the School of Music, visit www.kent.edu/music.