A concert featuring the award-winning Washington State University Jazz Big Band and VOJAZZ vocal jazz ensemble will celebrate Black History Month at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Kimbrough Concert Hall.
The concert will open with VOJAZZ performing under the direction of Noel Barbuto. Barbuto has sung as a featured artist with Opera Plus, the Coeur d’ Alene Symphony, Harlequin Theatre, Johnny Lewis Big Band, the Village Theatre, Carousel Players and the award-winning vocal group, the Akafellas.
The Jazz Big Band, under the direction of Meyer Distinguished Professor of Music Greg Yasinitsky, will present a program including pieces by outstanding African-American composers in celebration of Black History Month. The band will perform the ballad “Soul Eyes” by Mal Waldron in a unique arrangement by Dave Parker, featuring the saxophone section, and the modal jazz classic “Milestones” by Miles Davis, as arranged by Mike Tomaro. Also to be featured is “Fables of Faubus” by Charles Mingus, as arranged by WSU Jazz Bass Instructor David Snider. “Fables of Faubus” was composed in the 1950s as Mingus’s response to the actions of Orval Faubus, the segregationist governor of Arkansas. Additionally, the band will perform “Waltz for Claire,” a new composition by the Jazz Big Band’s pianist Bryan Werry.
Soloists will include saxophonists Adam Donohue, Eric Palmquist, Chris Siegmund and Matt Lanka; trumpeters John Gronberg and Matt Reid; pianist Werry; bassist Matt Grimes; and drummer Tiffany Stephens.
Next Story
Spanish, bilingual course from WSU Extension creates climate ambassadors
To reach thousands of northwestern Washington residents who do not speak English fluently, WSU Extension is offering new environmental educational programs in Spanish.
Recent News
Todd Butler resigns as College of Arts and Sciences dean
Associate Dean Courtney Meehan will serve as interim dean for a two‑year term to allow for a national search set to launch in 2025.
Tri-state team releases calendar guide for more productive, sustainable pastures
Experts drew on knowledge of the complex landscapes and seasonal rhythms of the Inland Pacific Northwest for a new year-round guide to boost the productivity of the region’s pastureland.
WSU to study effect of controversial drug on racehorses
Overall, the WSU team plans to analyze information gathered from about 30,000 racehorses to determine the future use of the drug furosemide in horse racing.
Voiland College names 2024 outstanding students
The students were recognized at the college's annual convocation ceremony, sponsored by the Boeing Company, on April 11.
Regents start search process for next WSU president
The Board of Regents will begin the search process for WSU’s 12th president this week. Applications for the Presidential Search Advisory Committee are now available.
Second chances: Graduate student receives NSF research fellowship
Sonja Sargent Sparks started life over again in her thirties as an engineering PhD student. Her success has earned her a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.