Texas Tech Jazz Ensemble to Salute Band Leaders In a Black History Month Celebration
February 16, 2011
The Texas Tech University Jazz Ensemble I will present a concert, directed by Stephen Jones, in celebration of Black History Month at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Hemmle Recital Hall at the Texas Tech School of Music.
Written by Kate Lepard
The Texas Tech University Jazz Ensemble I will present a concert, directed by Stephen Jones, in celebration of Black History Month at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Hemmle Recital Hall at the Texas Tech School of Music.
The band will perform music from some of the great African-American bandleaders and composers of the 20th century such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. The concert will also feature music by Thad Jones and Charles Mingus, who together, cover more than 60 years of American big band tradition.
“This performance recognizes and pays homage to the wonderful and ongoing legacy left to us by the great African-American bandleaders,” Jones said. “We have chosen to honor four of those bandleaders in our performance.”
The ensemble also will perform works by Ernie Wilkins, James Van Heusen and Neal Hefti and will deliver these songs in the styles of the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and the Mingus Big Band.
The 16-member ensemble will provide entertainment for both big band and jazz lovers. The concert is free and open to the public.