Mansfield University Home PageJazz Ensembles Combine for Concert
November 2, 2009
MANSFIELD, PA—The Mansfield University Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band and two jazz combos will combine for a concert on Saturday, November 7, 8 p.m. in Steadman Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public.
Kevin Hoferer, who teaches jazz improvisation along with his directing duties, will have two combos performing. “These combos are an important part of the jazz program at Mansfield,” he said. “They afford the participating students the opportunity to interact musically with one another in an improvisatory setting and allow these students to familiarize themselves with tunes from the rich repertoire of jazz standards.”
The first combo will perform an arrangement of the standard Out of Nowhere plus a funk tune by James Brown band alum Pee Wee, which was made famous by the late bassist Jaco Pastorius, entitled The Chicken.
The other combo will perform their versions of two original jazz compositions, Mean You by Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane’s Equinox.
Under the direction of Hoferer, the Jazz Lab Band will perform four arrangements. Bistro Latino by Jeff Jarvis will feature Tyler Krouse, Ed Satterfield, Nick McLean and Crystal Hinners. Trombonist John Fedchock's Skylight will feature John Wojciechowski on tenor saxophone.
The band's third number is a transcription of Ellington & Strayhorn's classic Half the Fun, which depicts Anthony and Cleopatra on a trip down the Nile. The role of Johnny Hodges will be played by Tyler Krouse, along with some piano work from Ashley McCormick. The final piece will be Kris Berg's arrangement of Dave Brubeck's Crescent City Stomp, which will feature Nick McLean and Tyler Krouse along with John Ceresini on the drum set.
Rounding out the program will be a set by the MU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Michael Galloway. Their set will kick off with a Gordon Goodwin original, Count Bubba. “This great chart features each of the horn sections in an unaccompanied tutti along with soloists Ben Carraher on tenor and Hanako Henty on piano,” Galloway said.
Trumpeter Chris Simmons and vibist Kevin Kern will solo on Bob Florence’s Bossa Nova, Tell Your Story.
The show will also include El Gatote, a driving mambo by Matt Harris. Soloists include Nicholas Eischeid on guitar, Deanna Lemmon on alto sax, Chris Simmons on trumpet and Kevin Kern on vibes.
“The euphonium is not typically thought of as a ‘jazz’ instrument because it isn’t,’ Galloway said. “But lead trombonist Nate Galloway is actually a euphonium major and is an outstanding player on that instrument. He will be heard in a Tom Dossett ballad, For Dee, which was in fact written as a euphonium feature. Nate does a beautiful job with this lovely tune.”
Angelo Stokes will be driving the band in their final selection, Dancing Men, written by John LaBarbera for the Buddy Rich Band. “Angelo is more than up to the task and so is the band,” Galloway said. “It is a fantastic chart and will be a great way to wind up the show.”
“Join us for an exciting evening of great jazz, two combo and two big bands,’ he added.
The Mansfield University jazz ensembles are all supported in part through Student Activity Fees.
