NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Stephen F. Austin State University student musicians will be showcased when the SFA School of Music presents the Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.
The Swingin' Axes will perform a program that spans more than 60 years of big band jazz styles, according to Gary Wurtz, professor of trumpet at SFA and director of the ensemble.
Among the selections will be a "typically lush arrangement" of "Stella by Starlight" by Nelson Riddle from the 1950s, Wurtz said. The band's performance will also feature Thad Jones' rock influenced "Us" from the early '70s, Bill Holman's "Petaluma Lu" from the artist's Grammy-winning album of 1995, and a modern arrangement of Radiohead's "Everything in its Right Place."
Swingin' Axes' students to be featured as soloists include Brownsville graduate student Robert Palermo, tenor saxophone; Baytown graduate student Paul Roberts, trumpet; Dayton senior Danny Williams, trombone; Nacogdoches junior Jacob Barnhill, soprano saxophone; and Nacogdoches junior Heath Perritt and Lufkin junior Juwan Blanton, drums.
The Swingin' Aces, under the direction of Deb Scott, associate professor of trombone and jazz studies, will perform "Stapes" by Frank Mantooth featuring Fort Worth junior Danny Lopez on trumpet. Also to be performed by the jazz band are "Left in the Dust" by Bill Liston, "Pressure Cooker" by Sammy Nestico, "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder and arranged by Mike Tomaro, and "Monday Morning Blues" by former Swingin' Axes director the late Darrell Holt.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 486-6407.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!