Latin American and contemporary, swing dance-inspired jazz music will fill Hartley Recital Hall on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Students, faculty and staff are invited to enjoy an hour of jazz music played by Union’s 12-member jazz ensemble. The group includes ten students as well as university professor of physics and department chairman Bill Nettles on the bass and Bill Van den Bosch on trombone, a Union graduate who has played with the jazz band and the Jackson Symphony.
The concert will consist of an array of pieces hand-selected by David McClune, university professor of music and conductor of the jazz band.
Since its start in the early 1920s, jazz music has become one of North America’s oldest and most renowned musical genres. Fast, stressed rhythms, ensemble playing, as well as various amounts of improvisation and often intentional distortions of pitch and resonance characterize the jazz genre, McClune said.
The Union University jazz band performs in Hartley Hall in the spring of 2014, with Dr. David McClune, university professor of music and conductor, playing baritone saxophone. | Photo by Mikalla Cotton, staff photographer
“I end up playing baritone saxophone in the group, partly because we need it and partly because it’s a lot more fun to play,” McClune said. “You don’t conduct jazz like you do a symphonic band or orchestra.”
McClune, now in his 25th year as conductor, said he always looks forward to the concert each semester and loves seeing his students improve.
“We learn all new music every semester and do not repeat anything,” McClune said. “This band is about teaching people different jazz styles and the basics of jazz improvisation, so it’s really an educational ensemble as much as anything else.”
Joseph Moore, senior music major, is looking forward to playing lead trumpet in his sixth jazz band concert. Outside of classes, Moore plays trumpet professionally and works as manager of the Youth Orchestra at the Jackson Symphony.
“I’ve had the opportunity to use what I learn in jazz band in my professional circles,” Moore said. “When I was booked to play with the Jackson Symphony a few years ago, I was more prepared that I expected because of some of the popular pieces I learned while in the Jazz Band.”
Giggi Decoursey, sophomore music education major, is excited to play tenor saxophone, apart from her usual alto saxophone.
“One of my favorite things about being a member of the band is experiencing the actual concert when all the music comes together, even [if] we aren’t certain that it will,” Decoursey said. “We are all thrilled afterwards when it comes together perfectly.”
The group has prepared for the concert with 40-minute practices at 5:30 p.m. on every Tuesday night this semester.
“We work hard, do good work and have fun as well,” Moore said, “Which is important because many people tend to separate hard work and fun.”
Moore said McClune has been a joy and pleasure to work with.
“He pushes us to be our best, and the jazz band would not be what it is without him,” Moore said.
McClune encourages concert attendees to arrive early because the event is usually standing room only.
“Come and relax for an hour and let us entertain you and take you on a journey through American Jazz,” McClune said.