UMaine Jazz Ensemble Readies Familiar Favorites for Nov. 30 Concert
Contact: Jack Burt, 581-1773 (jburt@maine.edu)
George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — The University of Maine’s Jazz Ensemble is preparing a list of familiar favorites by some of the most poplar American jazz musicians for its annual fall concert Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Hauck Auditorium on the Orono campus.
Under the direction of Jack Burt, the jazz band will perform originals from the modern big bands of Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis and Woody Herman, plus classics from the libraries of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Featured selections include “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “Straight, No Chaser,” and a special Stan Kenton version of the Glenn Miller tune “String of Pearls.”
Expect new versions of familiar tunes, Burt says, plus some wonderful ballads like “My Romance and Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most,” a medley of songs from Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” and compositions by Pat Metheny, Rodgers & Hart, Sammy Nestico, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.
“It’s all music to make you smile and be happy,” says Burt. “Toes will tap and the roof just might catch fire.”
The jazz ensemble is an audition-only big-band ensemble, and comprises more than 20 student musicians, mostly, but not all, music majors.
“We have a substantial non-music major component in the band,” Burt says. “Anyone can audition.”
The School of Performing Arts also has a chamber jazz ensemble, a smaller group led by music Professor Karel Lidral.
General admission is $6 and free for students with a MaineCard. Call the Maine Center for the Arts box office art 581-1755 for ticket information.