News Article

A-State Jazz to Present 'Swing into Spring,' April 14

JONESBORO – Appropriately during national Jazz Appreciation Month, Arkansas State Jazz Studies is excited to present the fifth annual “Swing Into Spring” concert.  This show will be Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Fowler Center’s Riceland Hall.  “Swing Into Spring” features the great sounds of the big band era.

It will open with the Jazz Lab band playing a hot new Cuban number “Saturday Night in Little Havana” by Tom O’Connor.  After the temperature settles down, the band will cook up some “Armadillo Barbecue,” a great swinging blues by Michael Medrick.  Lab will finish opening the show with a sultry bossa nova by David Benoit, “Six P.M.”

After a quick set change, the Jazz Orchestra will bring you to your feet again with another swinging set of America’s music:  Jazz!  Michael Medrick’s intricate take on Charlie Parker’s bebop hit “Au Privave” gives the talented soloists in the band ample opportunity to stretch out. 

Oklahoma native and guitar legend, Barney Kessel, wrote a great tune for a trip to Sweden, “Swedish Pastry,” arranged for big band by Don Bowyer. 

The band will feature future guitar legend Alex Ditto on “Bluesy Ballad,” a lovely slow number also by Don Bowyer.  After the romantic ballad, the band turns the heat all the way up with Tom Kubis’s “The Chinese Samba,” a challenging workout for the talented bunch not for the faint of heart!

To close Swing Into Spring 2016, the band takes a request, bringing back one of the crowd favorites from previous shows.  Jazz Orchestra transports us all back to where it began – church; with “Reverend Jack” by Bob Washut.

Another magnificent opportunity to hear great jazz music performed by talented jazz artists right here in Jonesboro.  Participate in national Jazz Appreciation month and come enjoy the swinging sounds.  Director of A-State Jazz Studies is Dr. Kenneth Carroll.

For more information about this concert or any other A-State music event, one may contact the Music Department at (870) 972-2094.