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Stephen F. Austin State University

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Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ jazz concert offers range of styles

April 17, 2012
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The two jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University, the Swingin' Axes and the Swingin' Aces, will present a program of contemporary and classical jazz, swing, Latin and funk during their final concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

Under the direction of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Associate Professor of trombone Deb Scott, the Aces will open the concert with Frank Mantooth's ballad "Whispered Elegy," Matt Catingub's fast swing tune "Blues and the Abscessed Tooth" and a Latin tune by Denis DiBlasio, "Jalapeno Dreams."

The Aces will also perform Maynard Ferguson's "The Fly" and Les Hooper's "Chickenscratch," both of which Scott describes as "seventies-style funk/boogaloo."

The program offered by the Swingin' Axes' will focus primarily on contemporary jazz, explained Gary Wurtz, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ professor of trumpet and the group's director.

"We will perform Chris McQueen's 'Foe Destroyer,' which was recorded by the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band in 2006; 'Spin Cycle' by Alan Baylock, composer for the United States Air Force's Airmen of Note; and Radiohead's 'Body Snatchers,' poignantly arranged for a big band setting by Fred Sturm."

The Axes will also perform Pat Metheny's "Across the Sky" and Les Hooper's arrangement of Benny Golson's "Killer Joe."

The concert is a joint presentation of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ College of Fine Arts and School of Music. W.M. Turner Auditorium is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.




By Sylvia Bierschenk
Contact:
University Marketing Communications
(936) 468-2605