SFA jazz bands to perform March 7 concerts
February 26, 2013
NACOGDOCHES - The Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces jazz bands of Stephen F. Austin State University will perform concerts beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.The performances will feature a number of student soloists.
The Swingin' Axes, under the direction of Gary Wurtz, professor of trumpet and jazz studies at SFA, will perform Sammy Nestico's famous "Wind Machine" and Pat Metheny's "It's Just Talk," featuring senior trombonist Webb Gardner of Katy and graduate pianist Keith Lalonde of Manvel.
The Swingin' Axes will also perform Sonny Rollins' famous calypso number "St. Thomas," featuring graduate drummer Paul Roberts along with Gardner. The band will also perform a new arrangement of Phil Collins' classic 80s hit, "Sussudio."
The Swingin' Aces, directed by Deb Scott, associate professor of trombone and jazz studies, will perform "Spanish Fire" by Michael Philip Mossman.
"This is a fun Latin style that will feature percussion," Scott said.
The performance will also feature "Skylark" by Johnny Mercer and arranged by Dave Wolpe and featuring San Antonio senior Angel Duran on tenor sax; "The Simpsons" by Danny Elfman and arranged by Les Hooper; "Curley Q's Blues" by Matt Harris; "Brush Taps" by Louie Bellson and Mark Taylor and featuring Nacogdoches freshman Aaron Kossie on drums; and "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues' by Moe Koffman, arranged by Ian McDougall.
The combined concerts are presented by the SFA College of Fine Arts and the School of Music and are part of the Concert Series.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.