In the 1940s, 50s and 60s America was known for several things in which it took part, such as World War II, poodle skirts and the hippie migration to California. As the birthplace of jazz, we were also known for jazz music through all three of those very different decades.
These decades make up the era UCA’s Jazz Band II is playing this season.
The set list for this season includes some of the jazz greats, such as Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr., Gordon Goodwin, Bob Secor and Johnny Smith.
“It’s a pretty fun set list, we always try to play some entertaining pieces that are challenging to develop our skills,” freshman trombone player and ensemble member Joseph Berry said.
These musicians share and show off this genre of music whenever possible by playing any gigs they can book and for other members of the music department, as well as their families.
Interested parties can book the jazz bands by contacting the UCA Department of Music.
Sophomore tenor saxophone player Carlos Udave believes that music is meant to be shared.
“I think music itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music,” he said.
Students interested in one of UCA’s jazz bands can audition on a traditional jazz instrument, such as drum set, saxophone or guitar. UCA has three jazz bands: Jazz I, Jazz II and Dixieland Band.
In order to audition, a student must sign up for an audition date in Snow Fine Arts. If he passes the first audition, he will go through a second audition where he will play together with other students. Musicians selected from that audition will be placed into one of the three bands.
image via beethovenfm.cl
