Wyoming Jazz Ensemble Presents ‘Swing into the Season’ Nov. 24
Published November 17, 2025
The Wyoming Jazz Ensemble will perform “Swing into the Season,” an evening of holiday favorites, Monday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall. (UW Photo)
Get ready to “Swing into the Season” with the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble, Monday, Nov.
24, at 6 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall.
Andy Wheelock, director of jazz studies and percussion area coordinator, will direct
the University of Wyoming’s premier big band. This festive evening of holiday favorites
is presented at an earlier time to accommodate families with young children who want
to share a wonderful holiday experience together.
Tickets are available at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/uwyo/6984, in person or at (307) 766-6666 at the Performing Arts box office, Monday through
Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and one hour before performances.
The program opens with Jack Fox’s “Zat You Santa Claus?” arranged by Victor Goines.
The piece, a jazzy, bluesy classic, was famously recorded by Louis Armstrong with
The Commanders.
Two holiday staples -- “Silver Bells” by Jay Livingston and arranged by Rick Stitzel,
and “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson and arranged by John LaBarbera, get swinging new
arrangements. The traditional carol “O Holy Night” by Adolphe Adam and arranged by
Tom Kubis, transforms into a thrilling big band number featuring a trumpet soloist.
“Jingle Bells” by James Pierpont and arranged by Kubis, also gets the big band treatment.
Mel Torme’s iconic ballad “A Christmas Song,” arranged by Mark Taylor, features a
flugelhorn soloist and brief double-time swing sections.
The concert closes out with another big band arrangement of a popular winter-themed
tune, “Let it Snow” by Jule Styne and arranged by Bob Lowden. This is followed by
“A Child is Born,” Roland Hanna’s waltzing piano tune, that is transformed into a
tender jazz standard by arranger Thad Jones.
The ensemble lineup features saxophonists Bryce Hebert, Josiah Cuthbert, Aidan Freeman,
Deacan Heinz and Jason Giguere; trombonists Parker Brennan, Caleb Kunsman, Fred Schurman
and Andon Mefford; trumpeters Ethan Bishop, Ashton Tyler, Ian Scholfield and Steven
Schnieder; pianist Sarah Gonda; bassist Trisha Cates; and, drummer, Kai Wolz.
For more information, email Wheelock at awheeloc@uwyo.edu or call (307) 721-2179.
