NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform a concert featuring works by Sammy Nestico, Gordon Goodwin, Pat Metheny and other jazz and big band greats at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.
The Aces, directed by Dr. J.D. Salas, associate professor of tuba and euphonium studies in the SFA School of Music, will perform arrangements of "Splanky" and "Day In, Day Out" by Nestico, long time composer/arranger for the Count Basie Orchestra. Nestico recently celebrated his 93rd birthday.
The Aces will also perform "Groove Merchant" by Thad Jones and a unique arrangement of "All The Things You Are," as performed by the Stan Kenton Orchestra.
The Axes, directed by Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone at SFA, will perform a varied program of old and new classics, including Goodwin's "The Phat Pack" and Metheny's "(It's Just) Talk," arranged by Bob Curnow.
The Axes will also perform "15 Step" by Radiohead, arranged by Matt Harris; "Li'l Darlin'" by Neal Hefti as recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra; "(Meet) The Flinstones" by William Hanna, Joseph Barbera and Hoyt Curtin, arranged by Dave Barduhn; and "Crusin' For a Bluesin'" by Andy Weiner, arranged by Peter Blair as recorded by Maynard Ferguson.
The concert is a joint 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 (888) 240-ARTS or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!