The Gustavus Jazz Lab Band with Director Steve Wright Photography by Stan Waldhauser
Following participation in the Notre Dame Jazz Festival and the Eau Claire Jazz Festival, the Gustavus Adolphus College Jazz Lab Band and Director Steve Wright return to Gustavus to play its spring home concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Jussi Björling Recital Hall.
Saturday’s Home Concert includes works that the band performed at the two festivals as well as additional selections. The program includes such standards as A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Groove Merchant, Yardbird Suite and La Fiesta and newer works like Rick Cornish’s Ballade and Spain by Chick Corea. The program also includes two works by the band’s director, Steve Wright — Doubledad and Riu Riu, a work he arranged for Christmas in Christ Chapel, 2010.
The Gustavus Jazz Lab Band is directed by Steve Wright, a nationally known trumpeter, jazz arranger, and composer. Wright has played lead trumpet for such performers as Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Ray Charles among others and is a member of the Twin Cities Jazz Society, American Composers Forum, International Association of Jazz Educators, and the American Federation of Musicians.
The Gustavus Jazz Lab Band is the official touring jazz ensemble from the College’s Department of Music. The band has performed with such jazz artists as Marvin Stamm, Dick Oatts, Frank Mantooth, the Hornheads, John Fedchock, Denis DiBlasio, and Allen Vizzutti. The band was also featured on a 2003 A Prairie Home Companion radio show broadcast live from Gustavus. It has performed competitively at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival and has been invited to appear at a variety of venues including the KBEM Jazz Fesitval, the American Swedish Institute, and the Lamberton Jazz Festival.
Saturday’s home concert by the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.