Looking to swing the night away? Then the Denison University Jazz Ensemble has just what the doctor ordered.
The Denison University Jazz Ensemble will be performing at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Nov. 18) in Burke Recital Hall.
The Jazz Ensemble, which has traditionally been a big draw in terms of attendance, has experienced a couple of significant changes since last school year.
First, the ensemble is under a new direction. Affiliated Instructor of Music Pete Mills is in his rookie year at Denison and has taken over conducting the ensemble, previously under the leadership of Rick Brunetto. Well-known on the local jazz scene, Mills brings many years of musical experience to the table.
Secondly, for the first time in several years, the ensemble is entirely composed of students. Similar to other ensembles in the newly revamped music department, the Denison University Jazz Ensemble is focused on bringing out the talents of Denison students.
The concert provides the students in the ensemble with the opportunity to showcase their hard work from all semester.
The ensemble will be performing a mixture of traditional swing tunes intermingled with some more modern bebop and latin tunes.
Highlighting the concert will be a rendition of the Herbie Hancock tune “Maiden Voyage.” Hancock first recorded the song for the 1965 Blue Note album of the same title.
Also on the agenda is a song entitled “Now is the Time,” recorded by the late great Charlie Parker. Composed around a twelve-bar blues chordal progression, the tune allows plenty of opportunities for individual members of the ensemble to showcase their soloing abilities.
One of the more unique songs on the setlist is a contemporary tune entitled “Latin Journey.” The tune works to add some color to the ensemble’s more traditional jazz and swing-based standards.
In addition, the ensemble will be performing several other contemporary tunes, including works by Lennie Niehaus and Sammy Nestico.
The concert is free and open to students as well as residents of Granville.