An explosion of jazz is scheduled as the WSU VoJazz and Big Band perform their first concert of the year at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Kimbrough Concert Hall.
The concert will feature the award-winning Washington State University jazz ensembles VoJazz and Big Band I and is free for anyone.
WSU VoJazz will open the concert. VoJazz is directed by Dean Luethi, assistant professor of music.
The group will perform "Dobbin’s Flowery Vale,”"L-O-V-E,” Bobby Timmons’ "Moanin,”"Angel Eyes,” and Kirby Shaw’s arrangement of the Bobby McFerrin tune, "Don’t Worry Be Happy.”
The set will conclude with"Open Invitation” and "Africa.”
The Jazz Big Band is directed by Greg Yasinitsky, director of the School of Music and Regents professor. The group will perform hard swinging blues,"Five Spot,” an arrangement of Joe Jackson’s Latin jazz theme for the short-lived 1980s television series "Private Eye.” The band will also perform a new, up-tempo arrangement of the classic standard"Indiana.”
“I was looking for variety and suitability for the band and the solos in the group,” Yasinitsky said. “I am confident that the band will play well, and we hope to draw a good crowd. It will be a great concert.”
VoJazz will feature solos by Kylie Booher, Aaron Reed, Mckenzie Trail, Chelsea Gilpin, AJ Brodin, Olivia Thomas, Kate Cubberley and Andrew Kohlbeck.
Jonathan Urmenita, Noah Austin, Matt Lanka, Charles Wicklander, Adam Willey, Paul Davis and David Erikson will perform solos with the Big Band.
Matt Lanka, a graduate student in the School of Music, said he is looking forward to performing with the band for the first time this year.
“This is my first year as lead alto in the band,” Lanka said. “I am looking forward to playing lead and soloing on alto because it’s the first time I’ve done it at this university. Some of the charts we are playing are really cool – some I’ve played before and some I haven’t.
Kemble Stout Music Listening Library specialist William Payne said he is always happy to hear the jazz groups perform.
“One thing I look forward to is the new vocal jazz textures that Dean Luethi will bring to the concert,” Payne said. “I enjoy the personal stamp he puts on his productions. I always look forward to Greg’s Big Band presentations. There is always new stuff, where he finds all the repertoire I’ll never know.”
Julianne Zahl, senior piano performance and actuarial science major, said she cannot wait to hear the concert.
“I’m especially excited now that the group has guys to expand the sound,” Zahl said. “I’ve heard that they will be singing one of my favorite songs by the Finnish a cappella group Rajaton and can’t wait to hear it.”
Christina Beahm, senior music education major, said the jazz concerts never cease to amaze her.
“I am very excited for the jazz concert,” Beahm said. “I’m particularly excited to hear the Big Band I. They always have such a big sound that always has a way of consuming your senses and taking you on an awesome trip through avenues of the musical world.”
