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¢¹½ÊÓƵ 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¢¹½ÊÓƵ 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¢¹½ÊÓƵ 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.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!