Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Contemporary Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a contemporary jazz/rock fusion concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
The program will feature the music of John Scofield and Pat Metheny, Plini, Suda, Tribal Tech and others, according to Andrew Sperandeo, adjunct faculty in Sound Recording Technology and guitar instructor in the School of Music. Sperandeo said he chose a program that would focus on “some challenging, higher-level music.”
“Since it is essentially a jazz group, all members will be featured soloists at one point or another throughout the evening,” he said.
The concert will feature “So It May Secretly Begin” and “The Red One” by The Pat Metheny Group, John Scofield and Pat Metheny.
“Ever since I started playing and studying jazz, I’ve always been a huge Metheny fan,” Sperandeo said. “So much so, it was a bit challenging to decide which pieces to perform, since he composed so many great songs. These are some of my favorite tunes recorded by Pat Metheny.”
“Every Piece Matters” by Plini and “Suda” by Chon are favorites of the student performers.
“I wanted the students to have a say in what they wanted to include in this specialized group,” Sperandeo said. “These are two of the groups that the students introduced me to while teaching them over the last few years here at SFA. They are really interesting, modern instrumental groups. The Chon tune is especially difficult due to all the time changes and hits.”
Tribal Tech’s “The Necessary Blonde” and “Face First” are also favorites.
“This is another of my favorite groups growing up,” Sperandeo said. “Tribal Tech is a talented jazz fusion group from the ’90s that put out some amazing arrangements. ‘The Necessary Blonde’ is harmonically rich and includes some intricate time changes as well. ‘Face First’ is mainly an ‘in-your-face’ up-tempo, funk tune.”
Sperandeo said he was looking forward to performing with the students.
“I hope people come out and support these talented kids as they explore some of this more thought-provoking music,” he said.
The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit http://www.finearts.sfasu.edu/. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building.