UW Jazz Ensembles I and II to Perform April 21

The University of Wyoming Jazz Studies program will present a concert by its instrumental jazz ensembles Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will feature UW Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Ben Markley, an associate professor and director of Jazz Studies in the UW Department of Music; and UW Jazz Ensemble II, directed by Andy Wheelock, an assistant professor and percussion area coordinator in the UW Department of Music. It will take place in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall.

Tickets are $10 for the public; $7 for senior citizens; $6 for students not attending UW; and free to UW students with a “W” number. To purchase tickets, visit the Performing Arts box office, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

To kick off the concert, UW Jazz Ensemble II will perform Afro-Cuban selections, including “Blue Muchacho” by Joe Gallardo, arranged by Michael Phillip Mossman; “Midnight Mambo” by Oscar Hernandez, arranged by Jim Williamson; “Rumba Urbana” by Hernandez; and “Art of the Dance” by Wayne Wallace.

UW Jazz Ensemble I will follow with material from classic composers as well as new music. Selections may include “Talk Soon” by Brian Claxton; “A Shade of Jade” by Joe Henderson, arranged by Alan Baylock; “Backbone” by Thad Jones; “Broad Street Beat” by Markley; “Old West” by Brad Mehldau, arranged by Micah Miller; “Off Minor” by Thelonious Monk, arranged by Cedar Walton and arranged for big band by Markley; and “El Perrero” by Wil Swindler.

For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirisk@uwyo.edu.