The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present its jazz bands, the Swingin’ Axes and the Swingin’ Aces, in concert at 7:30 p.m Friday, Oct. 11, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.
Under the direction of Dr. Gary Wurtz, professor of trumpet and jazz studies at SFA, the Swingin’ Axes will play “a number of terrific selections, both classic and modern,” Wurtz said. Among them will be Duke Ellington’s famous “In a Mellow Tone,” Chick Corea’s “Spain” and Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right With Me,” as arranged by Gordon Goodwin.
“The writing of Sammy Nestico, known for his work with Count Basie and the Airmen of Note, will be showcased through the tunes ‘Out of the Night’ and ‘Put it Right Here,’” Wurtz said.
The Swingin’ Aces, under the direction of Dr. Deb Scott, associate professor of trombone and jazz studies, will perform “Get Out of Town” by Cole Porter, arranged by Art Dedrick; “Here’s That Rainy Day” by Johnny Burke and James Van Heusen, arranged by Bob Lowden; “Pink Squirrel” by Shorty Rogers featuring Lufkin junior P.J. DeJesus on trumpet, Fort Worth freshman Jonathan Bowers on trombone, and San Antonio senior Angel Duran on tenor sax; and “Two Seconds to Midnight” by Alan Baylock featuring Chance Moore, a junior from San Augustine, on guitar and Bowers on trombone.
The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the School of Music. The jazz bands’ performances are part of the School of Music’s Concert Series.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.
