Big bands premiere Latin jazz piece, showcase blues

The WSU Big Band II, directed by Alvin Delos Santos, a graduate teaching assistant in the School of Music, will perform the Duke Ellington classic, “C Jam Blues,” as arranged by Dave Wolpe, and two compositions by Greg Yasinitsky, School of Music director: “Tomorrow’s Memories,” a lyrical ballad featuring alto saxophonist Anthony Smith, and “But of Course,” a driving blues featuring tenor saxophonists Runkin Li and Indra Suardana. Other soloists will include trumpeter Jeremy Morita, guitarist Roger Johnson, pianist Brandon Nelson and bassist Clay Parkman.

The WSU Jazz Big Band, under the direction of Yasinitsky, a WSU regents professor, will present the premiere of faculty member Frederick “Dave” Snider’s Latin jazz composition, “Goin’ South,” and will perform the Frank Foster classic, “Blues in Hoss Flat,” made famous by the Count Basie Band.

Chick Corea’s tune, “Tones for Joan’s Bones,” as arranged by Duke Pearson, will follow, and three pieces by Yasinitksy: a swinging blues, “The Real Deal;” a warm ballad, “Terry’s Song;” and the uptempo flag-waver, “Park City Express.”

Soloists will include: saxophonists Delos Santos, Machado Mijiga, Jon Urmenita and Tom Guenther; trumpeters Gabe Braendlein, Noah Austin and Chris Knox; trombonist Nick Brockmeyer; pianist Alberto Ferro; guitarist Clay Parkman; bassist Matt Piatt and drummer Chris Parkman.

Contacts:
Gregory Yasinitsky, WSU School of Music, 509-595-0839, yasinits@wsu.edu
Alvin Delos Santos, WSU School of Music, 510-303-6481, a.delossantos@wsu.edu