SFA jazz bands to perform

The Stephen F. Austin State University Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in Cole Concert Hall.

The Swingin' Aces' new instrumentation--four trumpets, five trombones and a rhythm section--will allow the ensemble to play some interesting music for smaller groups, according to director Deb Scott, SFA instructor of music. The trumpets and rhythm section will perform "Yesterday" by the Beatles, and the trombones and rhythm section will play "On the Street Where You Live" from "My Fair Lady."

The entire group will perform "Dragnet," arranged by Stan Kenton, complete with timpani, and several arrangements by Brad Black, West Monroe, La., senior and Swingin' Axes trumpet player.

The Swingin' Axes will play a variety of music from the jazz repertoire, including a hot arrangement of Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got that Swing," said director Gary Wurtz, associate professor of music at SFA.

The band will also perform Count Basie's "Alright, OK, You Win" and Willie Maiden's "A Little Minor Booze." Among the featured students will be Brian Best, Huffman junior, on alto saxophone; Butch Mitchell, Richardson senior, on tenor saxophone; and Black on trumpet.

The concert is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts and the Department of Music.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students.

For more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or 1-888-240-ARTS or log on to www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

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