The Gustavus Jazz Lab Band, under the direction of Dr. Steve Wright, returns home from a seven-day concert tour in the Midwest to combine efforts with the Adolphus Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. This concert in Bjorling Recital Hall is free and open to the public.
For the two ensembles, Dr. Wright has chosen works that showcase the variety of jazz styles and compositions. The program features standards made popular by the Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, classics from Henry Mancini and Jerome Kern, and works by the finest contemporary jazz composers and performers like Frank Mantooth, Wayne Shorter, Johnny Mercer, Sonny Rollins and Steve Wright.
Steve Wright is in his fifteenth year as director of trumpet and jazz studies at Gustavus. He has played professionally in the Twin Cities for over thirty years as a freelance musician, composer/arranger and publisher and as leader of his own big band. He is a frequent performer at Orchestra Hall and the Ordway Music Theatre and has made numerous national commercials.
Since 1970, the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band has developed a varied repertoire from traditional big band standards to modern compositions. In university and collegiate national competitions, the Band has consistently placed in the top three positions, including a 2nd place finish at the 2005 University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Jazz Festival. It has toured annually since its founding in 1970 and has toured throughout the United States, Scandinavia and Europe. This year’s tour included concerts in Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Saturday’s concert by the Adolphus Jazz Ensemble and the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band begins at 7:30 p.m. at Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall. The program will include something for everyone and the public is cordially invited to attend.
#####