Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will present their “Swingin’ At The Brewery’ fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 16, at Fredonia Brewery in downtown Nacogdoches.
Admission to the outdoor concert is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit the SFA School of Music’s jazz program, according to Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone and director of the Swingin’ Axes.
“When we scheduled our fall concert downtown on the square, we were not sure how well-received it would be,” Scott said. “But we were pleasantly surprised that it sold out. We heard from the community how nice it was to have an outdoor concert, so we wanted to do it again. We have performed once before at the Fredonia Brewery, and we are very grateful to them for hosting us once more. We are not reserving seats this time, so it will be first come, first served.”
In memoriam to the late jazz great Sammy Nestico, the Swingin’ Axes will perform Nestico’s “Tribute to Woody,” “Blues Machine” and “Beautiful Friendship.” The Axes will also perform Steve Owen’s “Goombay Smash” as performed by the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note. Scott will provide vocals on SFA’s own Mike McGowan’s “Mean to Me.” McGowan is adjunct instructor of music theory and jazz studies at SFA.
The Swingin’ Aces, directed by Dr. J.D. Salas, will perform jazz standards “Splanky” by Neal Hefti and Nestico’s arrangement of “Alright, Okay, You Win.” The Aces will also perform Bob Mintzer’s “Computer” and Mark Taylor’s arraignment of “St. Thomas” by Sonny Rollins.
The concert will also feature a performance by the SFA Jazz Doctors, which is a combo group comprised of SFA jazz faculty, including Scott on trombone, Salas on upright bass, McGowan on piano, Larry Greer on guitar, and Jake Walburn and Gary Wurtz on trumpets.
Shali’s Indian Kitchen on Wheels will be on site, and the brewery’s Rebellion Pizza will be open. SFA Jazz T-shirts and other merchandise will be available for purchase.
Social distancing and face masks are encouraged. The Fredonia Brewery is located at 138 N. Mound St. For additional information, call the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602 or the brewery at (936) 305-5125.