Night of Jazz to Feature the Music of New Orleans March 12

March 9, 2015

The OBU Bison Jazz Orchestra will once again host Night of Jazz on OBU's campus. Night of Jazz will take place Thursday, March 12, beginning at 8 p.m. in the Mabee Suite, located on the upper floor of the Noble complex. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening is themed "A Night in New Orleans" and will feature student and faculty performers, as well as guest artists, comprising three one hour sets of jazz. The first set begins at 8 p.m. and showcases a faculty jazz combo. Following the combo, the OBU Bison Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Justin Pierce, will play the second hour. The final hour of the event will be dedicated to an open jam session.

"Jazz is an art form learned through listening to recordings and apprenticeship relationships with older musicians," said Pierce. "This event allows our students to perform their prepared material, improvise and jam with experienced musicians."

Guests at Night of Jazz will be treated to performances by Kale Scherler, a professional musician from Dallas, on trombone; Cory Gavito, professor at OCU, on keyboard; Aaron Tomasko, OBU instructor, on bass; Patrick Womack, OBU alumnus and instructor, on drums; Justin Pierce, instructor of instrumental music, on saxophone; and the Bison Jazz Orchestra.

The event is come-and-go, though listeners are encouraged to stay for all performances. The evening will highlight the jazz music of New Orleans, including "Basin Street Blues," "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?" and "When the Saints Go Marching In." Refreshments will be served.