Jazz Appreciation Week Events at VSU

VALDOSTA - The VSU Jazz Area's student ensembles are presenting a series of free concerts open to the public in celebration of the uniquely American art form during Jazz Appreciation Month. Come, sit back and enjoy student interpretations of this emotionally charged artistic expression.

Monday, April 6

Student Jazz Combos
7:30 p.m., Whitehead Auditorium

The Valdosta State University Jazz Combos are small performing groups comprised of five to eight players. The combos perform material from the traditional and contemporary jazz repertoire with emphasis on small group performing skills and jazz improvisation. The combos have performed at a number of jazz festivals, clinic workshops and social events over the years.

Tuesday, April 7

New Jazz Ensemble, directed by Joren Cain, assistant professor of saxophone
The Spotlighters, a vocal jazz ensemble directed by graduate assistant Jessica Israels
7:30 p.m., Whitehead Auditorium

The VSU New Jazz Ensemble, directed by Joren Cain, performs at least two concerts a year on campus and is ideally suited to students wishing to gain valuable experience in the jazz idiom. The repertoire is exciting and varied, with a strong emphasis on fundamentals of the jazz style.

The Spotlighters, Valdosta State University’s vocal jazz ensemble, is directed by graduate student Jessica Israels. The group concentrates on a cappella as well as accompanied jazz repertoire for mixed voices.

Thursday, April 9

VSU Jazz Ensemble, directed by David Springfield
7:30 p.m., Whitehead Auditorium

The VSU Jazz Ensemble, directed by David Springfield, is the premier performing ensemble in the Jazz area. The group performs at least four concerts per year on campus with a repertoire ranging from Big Band Era standards to contemporary styles and original jazz compositions.

For more information, please e-mail David Springfield, director of Jazz Studies, at daspring@valdosta.edu or call him at (229) 333-5805.