UNL Jazz Orchestra and UNL Jazz Singers return to Kimball

calendar icon20 Nov 2019    

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Glenn Korff School of Music continues the 2019-2020 jazz season with a concert of diverse selections from the Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Singers on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Kimball Recital Hall.

The Singers will present music from their featured performance on November 23 at the Nebraska Music Educators Association conference, including new arrangements of songs by jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek, contemporary songwriter Gabriel Kahane, and Dave Barduhn’s vocal adaptation of “Groovin’ Hard,” made famous by Buddy Rich. The Jazz Orchestra will tackle two significant 21st-century compositions for large jazz ensemble: “The Pretty Road” by Maria Schneider and “Choros #3” by Vince Mendoza, as well as selections from Duke Ellington’s rendition of the Nutcracker Suite. 

The Jazz Orchestra is the university’s showcase jazz organization and one of the Glenn Korff School of Music’s most visible performing groups. Membership in the Jazz Orchestra is determined by audition each semester, and music majors, as well as non-majors, are encouraged to try out. This versatile ensemble performs all styles of music from Duke Ellington to the contemporary artists of today. In addition to numerous performances in the Lincoln/Omaha area, the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra has been heard on NPR’s Jazz Set with Branford Marsalis.

The Jazz Singers is a small choir, open to all members of the University community by audition. Students are instructed in the jazz style, ensemble singing, lyric delivery, solos, and improvisation. The ensemble performs arrangements of standard and contemporary jazz repertoire in collaboration with a rhythm section. Jazz Singers participates in various performances both on and off-campus each semester, including appearances at regional jazz festivals.

Tickets are: Adults $5; Students/Seniors $3 and available at the door the night of the performance.