Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Steel Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will present its annual spring concert when the student ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
The Steel Band, directed by Dr. Ben Tomlinson, percussion adjunct faculty, will perform traditional calypso selections from Trinidad and Tobago as well as additional tunes from around the world.
Among the selections will be "Morning Dance" by Spyro Gyra. The piece takes the band outside of its traditional soca and calypso roots, according to Tomlinson.
"The tune 'Morning Dance' was one of the breakout hits of the jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra in 1979," Tomlinson said. "This is one of the more technically challenging pieces for the band as there are many complicated melodies and interesting harmonies."
The band will also perform the crowd-pleaser "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing" by Stevie Wonder from his 1973 hit album "Innervisions."
Another program favorite will be "Mambo Mindoro" by Cal Tjader.
"Fast and upbeat, 'Mambo Mindoro' is a Latin chart that features our 'Engine Room' section," Tomlinson said. "The 'Engine Room' includes drumset and a percussionist playing 'irons,' and it is the rhythmic force that propels the band forward."
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 finearts.sfasu.edu/.