Southeastern Jazz Ensemble to honor legends, elevate students
Monday, April 10, 2017
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – Lovers of jazz looking to get one last show in before Spring Break need
look no farther than the Southeastern Louisiana University Jazz Ensemble concert this
week. The free concert will be held on Thursday, April 13, at 6 p.m., in Pottle Recital
Hall.
Featuring selections from the repertoires of jazz greats like Stan Kenton, Count
Basie, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington and others, the lineup will paint a vibrant picture
of America’s jazz heritage, said Michael Brothers, lecturer of percussion for the
Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
He said the concert will also provide the students in the band ample opportunity
to stretch their abilities to new heights - and develop plenty of muscle memory.
“If there is any theme running through the pieces that we picked for this concert,
it’s that they push the abilities of our students; getting them to reach higher,”
said Brothers. “Some of this music comes from many of the great big-band libraries.”
Brothers is one of the three conductors of the performance, which will include
John Madere, instructor of bass, and Derek Stoughton, interim director of bands. He
said one of the biggest challenges for the students and, to a certain extent, the
conductors, is the sheer amount of diversity in the program
The concert is the Ensemble’s last show of the spring. For more information,
contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 985-549-2184.
