Big Band Jazz will ring out at the Wright Music Building on the MTSU Campus, Friday, February 13, at 7:30 PM. The occasion will be the Celebration of 40 Years of Big Band Jazz at MTSU. Three big bands, composed of students who participated in MTSU jazz ensembles from 1973 to 2014 will perform under the direction of
Dr. John Duke, founding director of jazz studies at MTSU, and current professors Jamey Simmons and Don Aliquo. The performance will begin at 7:30. Admission is $10.00 for adults, and free for students, MTSU faculty and staff. Proceeds directly benefit the Jazz Scholarship Fund
The concert will begin with the current MTSU Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Jamey Simmons, followed by an Alumni Jazz Band composed of players from 1993 to 2014, directed by Don Aliquo. The final group to perform will be The Blues Crusade founded and led by Dr. Duke from 1973 to 1993. They will feature vocals by Denise (Huffington) Patton backed by an All-Star-Band playing music from the big bands of Count Basie, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton.
MTSU musicians who performed in the jazz program from 1973--2014 are invited to perform and are required to register by February 2. Their first gathering will be at 6:00 PM on the night of the concert. For more information and registration form see www.mtsu.edu/music/crusadeletter.pdf