'All That Jazz' to benefit scholarship endowment

Guest percussionist Marcus Reddick will perform with SFA's Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces in "All That Jazz," a fundraising concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in Cole Concert Hall. The event will benefit the SFA Jazz Scholarship Endowment.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Tickets are now available for "All That Jazz," a fundraising concert being presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and Friends of Music at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The benefit concert features SFA's Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces appearing with acclaimed guest percussionist Marcus Reddick to perform "big band" standards. The program will also spotlight clarinetist and SFA Director of Bands Fred Allen.

The event benefits the SFA Jazz Scholarship Endowment.

"Jazz is the quintessential American music," said Bill Elliott, Friends of Music board member. "Our two jazz bands offer not only a great entertainment value to our community, but their reputation attracts the high quality students that the music department needs.

"I support them through my attendance and contributions to the scholarship program," he said. "It's a great value."

Reddick is director of percussion studies in the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., where he teaches applied percussion, percussion ensemble, percussion techniques and courses in music theory, orchestration, musicianship and jazz appreciation as well as assisting with the Mercer Wind and Jazz Ensembles. He has toured extensively and performed around the world as a solo artist, a chamber musician and as a member of numerous ensembles.

Among the favorite pieces to be performed by the Swingin' Axes are "Ya Gotta Try" by Sammy Nestico, "A Foggy Day" by George Gershwin and "Sing, Sing, Sing" by Louis Prima, according to Gary Wurtz, director.

The Swingin' Aces will perform such big band favorites as "Sentimental Journey," by Les Brown, "In the Mood" by Joe Garland and "Satin Doll" by Duke Ellington, according to Deb Scott, director.

"The Swingin' Aces have been working very hard on learning some of the standard big band songs like 'Dancing in the Dark' and 'Shanty Town,'" Scott said. "They are very challenging to students who aren't familiar with them, but they are doing a great job and having fun, too."

Tickets are $25 each, but because it is a scholarship fundraiser, donations above the ticket price are appreciated, according to Shirley Watterston, Friends of Music committee member helping to organize the event.

For more information about "All That Jazz" or to purchase tickets, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.