NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The two jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University, the Swingin' Axes and the Swingin' Aces, will present a program of contemporary and classical jazz, swing, Latin and funk during their final concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.
Under the direction of SFA Associate Professor of trombone Deb Scott, the Aces will open the concert with Frank Mantooth's ballad "Whispered Elegy," Matt Catingub's fast swing tune "Blues and the Abscessed Tooth" and a Latin tune by Denis DiBlasio, "Jalapeno Dreams."
The Aces will also perform Maynard Ferguson's "The Fly" and Les Hooper's "Chickenscratch," both of which Scott describes as "seventies-style funk/boogaloo."
The program offered by the Swingin' Axes' will focus primarily on contemporary jazz, explained Gary Wurtz, SFA professor of trumpet and the group's director.
"We will perform Chris McQueen's 'Foe Destroyer,' which was recorded by the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band in 2006; 'Spin Cycle' by Alan Baylock, composer for the United States Air Force's Airmen of Note; and Radiohead's 'Body Snatchers,' poignantly arranged for a big band setting by Fred Sturm."
The Axes will also perform Pat Metheny's "Across the Sky" and Les Hooper's arrangement of Benny Golson's "Killer Joe."
The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. W.M. Turner Auditorium is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!