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Dr. William Richardson conducts Northwest's jazz ensembles, which will perform a concert Sept. 30 at the Charles Johnson Theater. (Photo by Lauren Adams/Northwest Missouri State University)
Northwest Missouri State University’s jazz ensembles will perform their first concert of the fall semester, featuring varied styles of jazz music, including pieces by jazz pianists and composers Count Basie and Mary Lou Williams.
The concert, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at the Charles Johnson Theater inside the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. Additionally, the Northwest Jazz Combo, a select group of Northwest Jazz Ensemble members, will present an improvised performance, beginning at 6:40 p.m.
“Jazz concerts are a little less formal than a symphony orchestra concert or even a concert band or a concert choir performance,” Dr. William Richardson, a Northwest professor of music and the conductor of its jazz ensembles, said. “If the spirit moves people and somebody stands up and does an improvised solo, generally once they finish their solos, audience members – if they want to – will clap.
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In conjunction with the evening jazz ensembles concert, Earlie Braggs, a jazz vocalist trombonist and bassist, will perform as a guest and host a master class at 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building.
Braggs has performed in Kansas City since 1975, appearing with renowned jazz artists including Claude “Fiddler” Williams and Jay McShann, in addition to touring Europe with the Illinois Jacquet Big Band. In addition to his own album release, “It’s About Time” as the leader of the Earlie Braggs Quartet, he has recorded with the Kerry Strayer Septet, the New Kansas City Seven and the Jazz Heritage Orchestra.
Braggs’ visit to Northwest is sponsored by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts with additional support from the Missouri Arts Council.
“Earlie is an outstanding jazz vocalist and trombone player,” Richardson said. “Folks don’t want to miss the evening performance with our talented student musicians and amazing guest artist.”
The Northwest Jazz Ensemble is an audition-based group of musicians dedicated to performing a variety of jazz and commercial music. The ensemble annually sponsors the Northwest District Jazz Band performance and the Northwest Jazz Festival. It also hosts numerous guest artists, including past guests Jamey Aebersold, Buddy Baker, Jerry Coker, Roger Neumann, Jay Sollenberger, Willi Thomas, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Gary Foster and Mike Metheny.
The Northwest Studio Jazz Ensemble introduces its members to jazz style and improvisation. The group performs four concerts annually, and enrollment is open to students of all majors with no auditions necessary. Music education students who play secondary instruments or desire to enhance their skills are encouraged to participate.
To learn more about Northwest’s musical ensembles and upcoming performances, visit czm4.hrfjk.com/finearts/music/ensembles/.
