UMaine Jazz Ensemble at Hauck Auditorium Dec. 1
Contact: Karel Lidral, 581-1256, Karen Cole, 581-4704
ORONO — The University of Maine Jazz Ensemble concert Thursday, Dec. 1 in Hauck Auditorium will feature 18 student musicians, with associate music professor and jazz performer Karel Lidral directing, to offer a repertoire of favorite jazz standards as well as newly composed works.
The jazz ensemble, an auditioned group, has been studying a varied program of works this semester. The fall concert is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their mastery of the material. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $6; students with a MaineCard are admitted free.
The evening program includes: Mark Taylor’s arrangement, in ballad form, of “After You’ve Gone” by Henry Creamer and Turner Layton; Kenny Dorham’s Latin favorite “Blue Bossa”; “Boplicity (Be Bop Lives)” from the Miles Davis album “Birth of the Cool”; “Business As Usual,” a medium-tempo swing style original from well-known jazz composer Dave Berger; an arrangement of Ann Onimus’ original “Li’l Liza Jane” by Doug Beach and George Shutack; composer, trumpet player and Kendor Music president Jeff Jarvis’ hard-driving shuffle original, “Firestorm”; another Miles Davis standard, “Milestones”; Count Basie’s immortal “One O’Clock Jump,” arranged by Mark Taylor; “Saralon Blues,” a great offering from Tom Frederickson, which was commissioned by the Illinois Music Educators Association for the 2005 All-State Jazz Ensemble; and a Mike Tomaro original, “Scott Free,” written in a relaxed samba style.
Student soloists include Steve Barter on tenor saxophone, Jenna Hartung on alto saxophone, Laura Zukowski, baritone saxophone, Jarrod Bishop, James Hebert and Rodger Wong on trombone, Alex Cardamone, Beth Rucci and Karl Varian on trumpet, Ashley Drew, piano, and Scotty Horey on drums.
The concert will feature small ensembles within the big band and some great solos, says Lidral, director of jazz studies.
On Friday, Dec. 2, the newly formed Chamber Jazz Ensemble will present an informal concert in the Bangor Rooms of the Memorial Union from noon-1 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
More information is available by calling the Maine Center for the Arts box office at 581-1755 or visiting www.umaine.edu/spa.