From the cool melodies of light jazz to the toe-tapping beats of electric funk, the Berry College Jazz Ensemble presents a concert that spans the genre and lulls the senses.
“It’s going to be an exciting mixture of different styles of jazz,” said Director Tom Smith. “From swing to modern jazz to rock and funk, there’s something for everyone.”
Tonight’s concert features Berry’s 18-piece big band jazz ensemble along with featured soloists Marc Johnson and Alex Harper and vocalists Brittney Jaynes and Chris Barry, Smith said.
Featured selections include Maynard Ferguson’s “MacArthur Park” featuring trumpet soloist Tyler Prickett. Another selection, by Berry faculty member Stan Pethel, is an original composition for solo tenor saxophone. The piece is called “You’re Breaking My Heart.”
The Berry College Jazz Ensemble has been together for more than 40 years, Smith said. For the last five, he has been the director and said he’s seen the band’s repertoire grow each year.
“The band has been evolving into more of an improvisational emphasis,” he said, adding that the rhythm section of the band is the popular local group Ministers of Jazz.
The concert takes place today at 8 p.m. in the Ford Auditorium at Berry College. Admission is free.
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