Jazz Ensemble II to present 'funky' jazz concert May 7
Contact: Christina Chapple
4/30/08
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University’s Jazz Ensemble II will present “Brick House!,” a “high-energy and funky” program of jazz hits, Wednesday, May 7, at the Pottle Music Building Auditorium, said Director Richard Schwartz.
The 20-member ensemble’s spring concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free to the campus and community.
The concert will feature guest saxophone artist John Lyons, who will perform “Blues fur Elise,” a blues arrangement of the Beethoven classic, and Duke Ellington’s “Caravan.” Jazz Ensemble II will also perform “In the Stone,” “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Morning Sunrise,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Oye Como Va” and Lionel Richie’s “Brick House.”
Lyons, a New Orleans native, played his first gig as a 12-year-old. With a soulful style reminiscent of Lenny Picket and Michael Brecker, Lyons has performed with artists Percy Sledge, Luther Kent, Vince Vance, the Coaster, the Platter, the Marvelettes, Irma Thomas, T. Graham Brown, Doug Kershaw and the Class Rock All Stars. He has spent several years as lead tenor with local bands including his latest, “Soul Vaxxination.” He also has performed in other countries, including a 2001 performance for more than 40,000 fans at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Jazz Ensemble II’s eclectic repertoire ranges from classic standards by composers such as Johnny Mandel, Harold Arlen and Johnny Burke to more modern works by John Coltraine, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and others. In addition to its annual semester concerts, the group has also joined in community events such as the Christwood Lecture Series in St. Tammany Parish, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Toast and Jam Festival and Riverfest in Vicksburg, Miss.
Members are Aaron Turnipseed and Durand Jones, alto saxophone; Corey Reeves and Joseph Jones, tenor saxophone; Christopher Gautreaux, baritone saxophone; Nicholas Dawson, Ben Livingston, Antonio Sasso, Joshua Olsen and Joseph Marshall, trumpet; Justin Talkington, Jamie Foster and Darell Haynes, trombone; Judy Bardwell and John Holley, piano; Justin Burdette and Eric Johns, guitar; George Bosnea, electric bass; A.J. Lassere and Robert Nicholson, drums.
For additional information, contact Schwartz at richard.schwartz@selu.edu or 985-549-5938.
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