2008 Woodie Awards
Jazz ensemble mixes classic style with contemporary music.
Christy Mullins
Issue date: 11/1/06 Section: Arts
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"You have to attend the concert to hear the ?twist'," Jason Holden, a trombone play¬er and instrumental graduate assistant, said.
Holden will be one of several soloists at the Nov. 6 performance in Barnes Recital Hall.
On the set list are two Frank Sinatra classics, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and "When You're Smiling," along with Joe Zawinul's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," made famous on Buddy Rich's album of the same name.
The ensemble will also cover Hank Levy's "Time for a Change," popularized by the Stan Kenton Band in 1976, along with contemporary pieces such as Brett Zvacek's "I See Voices" and Pat Metheny's "(It's Just) Talk."
Holden said that the director this semester has chosen a very exciting program, and that anyone who listens will not be disappointed.
"At some point or another, every section of the ensemble is featured," he said. "If anyone is a fan of jazz then this is the concert to attend."
Other featured soloists throughout the program include senior instrumental music major Dan Grovo on soprano and alto saxophones, junior music major Chris Smith on trumpet and graduate music performance major Patrick Brown on tenor saxophone.
There will be a variety of other soloists on many of the pieces.
The group is normally led by music professor Phil Thompson, but he is on sabbatical leave. This semester, the jazz musicians will be directed by Winthrop graduate Adam Snow.
This is Snow's first semester directing the group.
He recalls his days as a student jazz performer and is excited to lead the ensemble at this month's concert.
"It has been a lot of fun and a great experience for me," Snow said. "I played the drums in this group several years ago and it's a thrill to be able to work in this setting again."
Snow encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the ensemble.
"The band sounds fantastic and the concert should be appealing to anyone who loves great music," Snow said.
The performance will begin at 8 p.m. Admission is free, and it is an approved cultural event.
For more information about the jazz ensemble, contact music administrative specialist Ida Newsom at 323-6156, or by e-mail at newsomi@winthrop.edu.
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