Department of Music presents ASU Jazz, Lab Bands, Nov. 18, in 'The Jazz Voyage'

November 3, 2010 -- The Department of Music at Arkansas State University will present the ASU Jazz Bands in concert on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Riceland Hall, Fowler Center. The ASU Jazz Bands are directed by Dr. Ron Horton.  Audiences will be treated to a concert that explores offshore influences on jazz, as the band presents a concert, “The Jazz Voyage.”  The concert is free of charge and open to the public.

This concert will examine the synthesis and influences that music and life experience from around the globe has exerted on this American art form. “We live in a society that is very open to and conversational with outside influence” says Horton. “This concert will give audiences an opportunity to examine some of the details of how this influence plays out in the music.” From the impact of Coleman Hawkins’ years in Europe to the importance that Jamaican street music had on the hip-hop rhythms that are so prevalent in today’s music, the ASU jazz band will put a wide range of musical styles, and the stories that go with them, on display. Some of the influences that the bands explore will be very familiar, such as the prevalence of Cuban rhythms as displayed in Ray Bryant’s Cubano Chant. Others will represent a more subtle exchange, as is the case with a piece entitled CKUA by Canadian-born composer Dean McNeil.

Through the course of the concert, audiences will be able to hear some of their favorite soloists from the ASU jazz bands such as tenor saxophonist Michael Newsom, and trumpeter Joseph Curtis. One of the featured soloists from the jazz band will be alto saxophonist Clinton Curtis. He will perform as a soloist on the timeless standard “Body and Soul.” Additionally, some of the program’s emerging soloists, such as Daniel Webb and Cody Ballard, will be performing with the ASU Lab Band. The public is welcome to join the ASU Jazz Band and Lab Band as the ensembles go on “The Jazz Voyage.” 

Members of the ASU Lab Band are Zach Simmons of Sherwood, Shawn Crawford of Paragould, Cody Ballard of Jonesboro, Daniel Webb of Dexter, Mo., and Brittany Reese of Conway, saxophones; Adam Waddell of Jonesboro, Jonathon McAlister of Marion, Chris Smith of Paragould, and Brolin Brown of Sherwood, trombones; Andrew Webb of Dexter, Mo., Joseph Anderson of Jacksonville, Brandon Slatton of Jonesboro, and Robert Bajorek of Jacksonville, trumpets; Mauricio Dixon of Wynne, Alex Ditto of Hoxie, Garret Tyler of Jonesboro, Jon Odom and Matt Bounds of Poplar Bluff, Mo., rhythm section.

Members of the ASU Jazz Band are Clinton Curtis of Trumann, Aaron Decker of Jonesboro, Michael Newsom of Memphis, Tenn., Joseph Coffee of Benton, Mo., Larry Durham of Dexter, Mo., saxophones; Alex McClung of Trumann, Dustin Coles of Paragould, Devodre Hince of Jacksonville, Treavor Mitchell of Jonesboro, trombones; Joseph Curtis and Justin Holt of Trumann, Joe Stevens of Pocahontas, Eric Escue of Jonesboro, trumpets; Barrett Kelly of Walnut Ridge, Addison Boling, and Bryan Elder of Jonesboro, Evan Barwich of Poplar Bluff, Mo., rhythm section.

For more information about the concert or ASU music, please feel free to contact the music office at (870) 972-2094. 
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