Your future, our focus
POWELL, Wyo. - The Northwest College Jazz Combos and Jazz Band II, will color the sounds of the genre in a 7:30 p.m. concert Monday, Nov. 21, in the Nelson Performing Arts Auditorium.
Jazz originated in New Orleans around 1900 and has developed through increasingly complex styles for over a century. Like reflections from a prism, the possibilities of jazz move in many directions and styles, from smooth and mellow to the intricate rhythms and melodies of Dixieland, big band swing, bebop, modern jazz, funk and more.
The three NWC music ensembles will explore some of the possibilities, beginning with the Monday Jazz Combo. Under the direction of Neil Hansen, this six-piece group will showcase a collection of jazz standards including Miles Davis’ “So What,” featuring bassist Tyler Marchant; and “Snagglepuss,” an original composition by Greg Yasinitsky. They’ll close with “Blue Bossa,” a Kenny Dorham number arranged by Yasinitsky, an instructor at the annual Yellowstone Jazz Camp who also teaches at Washington State University.
Directed by Robert Rumbolz, the Wednesday Jazz Combo opens with the Cannonball Adderley arrangement of “Autumn Leaves” by Johnny Mercer. The group puts their own take on the classic “Green Dolphin Street” by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington and closes with “Zoltan” by Larry Young, featuring Keller Paulson on drums and Forrest Holso on an electronic woodwind instrument.
NWC’s Jazz Band II, conducted by Craig Olson, will wrap up the evening with a variety of styles from bop to rock. Their playlist includes “Hog-Squealin’, Rip-Snortin’, Belly-achin’ Blues” by Michael Sweeney; “Cold Duck Time” by Eddie Harris; “Beat Street” by David Benoir and Jeff Lorber and “Boplicity,” another Miles Davis tune featuring special guest Robert Rumbolz on trumpet.
Admission to this evening of jazz is free and open to the public.