On Thursday, February 19th, TU’s jazz bands will have their first concert of the semester.
The concert is one of two planned for the bands this semester. TU’s big bands will perform a variety of selections with solos by visiting artist/composer Walter White.
Big bands are jazz ensembles ranging from twelve to twenty members that were popularized in the 1930s. Although TU is a relatively small school, it has two big bands, levels I and II.
TU’s Big Band II is composed of mostly freshmen and sophomores, with fourteen members. Its program will be pieces chosen from four different selections. TU’s Big Band I is mostly juniors and seniors, with nineteen members. The program will feature composed pieces from ten different selections. Members of both bands include vocalists, trumpets, trombones and a rhythm section.
The concert will feature several of White’s compositions. Vernon Howard, Director of Jazz Studies, taught White at a summer camp in the 1970s and watched his career develop.
White, a trumpet soloist and composer, has traveled the world as a jazz player. He has played with a variety of bands and for several soundtracks. Several of White’s new compositions will have their world premiere at the concert.
The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Gussman Concert Hall in the Lorton Performance Center.
