SFA’s jazz bands to present ‘Swingin’ At The Brewery’ fundraiser

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 1, at Fredonia Brewery in downtown Nacogdoches.

Admission to the outdoor concert is free, but donations are encouraged to benefit the SFA School of Music’s jazz program, according to Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone and director of jazz.

​“SFA Jazz has always enjoyed widespread community support, which has been essential to our program,” Scott said. “We are fortunate to have the Fredonia Brewery continuing to host us; we are very grateful.”

The Swingin’ Axes will perform Radio Head’s “Knives Out," Count Basie’s “Sweet Georgia Brown” and Dan Gailey’s “Big Al Meets the Barnyard Gals,” among other jazz favorites.

The Swingin’ Aces, directed by Dr. J.D. Salas, will play some standard selections from the swing era in addition to a few rock selections from the group Steely Dan.

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.

Proceeds from the concert will help fund travel costs for both the Axes and Aces when they perform at the Wichita Jazz Festival in Kansas on April 22. The jazz bands will return home on April 23 to present the same concert at 7:30 that night in Cole Concert Hall.

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.