Jazz Rock Ensemble concert Saturday at UNK
KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Pieces from the swing era to big bands will be performed at the Jazz Rock Ensemble concert on Saturday, April 21, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the UNK Fine Arts Recital Hall. The performance will be directed by Dr. Jim Payne, UNK professor of music and performing arts.
Casey Cobb of McCook plays tenor saxophone with the Jazz Rock Ensemble.
"They (the ensemble) will perform jazz pieces styled in several types of swing, Latin, rock, jazz rock fusion, contemporary jazz, ballad and funk," Dr. Payne said. "The music will come from the libraries of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Bob Mintzer and The Yellowjackets, Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra, Les Hooper, Billy Strayhorn, Sammy Nestico and Maynard Ferguson Orchestra."
The performance will include solos on piano, guitar, alto, tenor and bari saxophone, trumpet, trombone and drums. Dr. Payne will perform the trumpet solo on "The Spirit of St. Frederick," made famous by Maynard Ferguson in 1980.
"The music comes from our tour of four schools in Nebraska, plus other great charts that have a lot of audience appeal," Dr. Payne said. Students are selected for the UNK Jazz Rock Ensemble through competitive audition.