When Jazz Was King offers a swingin' evening with the UM Jazz Ensemble
Master of Ceremonies, vocalist, rock star and jazz enthusiast Huey Lewis presides over When Jazz Was King, featuring the UM Jazz Ensemble, Nov. 18 at the University of Montana in Missoula.
Mark your calendar for this once-in-a-lifetime event, including an opportunity to mingle with one of rock ’n roll’s biggest starts at the “Meet the Artist” reception.
The UM Jazz Program is celebrating 37 years of the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival with an unforgettable evening celebrating jazz and promoting the world-class festival and the history of jazz.
“This evening will be special for not only the UM jazz students, but the entire Montana community. We are grateful for the generosity of Huey Lewis and his commitment to the arts,” said Rob Tapper, UM Director of Jazz Studies, assistant professor of trombone, and director of the festival. “We can’t wait!”
The no-host, full-bar cocktail hour begins at 6:15 p.m. followed by a three-course dinner, wine included. After dinner, sit back and enjoy the musical program spotlighting great jazz artists followed by dancing with the energetic and swinging UM Jazz Ensemble I.
Count Basie, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Billy Strayhorn and many more artists will be celebrated with some vintage music and big band arrangements.
Tickets and information are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 406-243-6880.
The celebration benefits the 2017 festival (set for March 16-17), which brings together more than 50 middle school, high school and college jazz ensembles from across the Northwest. Evening concerts for the festival will be held at the Dennison Theatre on the Missoula campus.
Around 1,500 music students, directors, jazz lovers and artists converge for the two-day event, which emphasizes education, improvisation and the jazz language. Additionally, there will be clinics, ensemble critiques, workshops, open rehearsals and master classes with the guest artists.
The festival’s guest artists are among the rare breed of artists who have educated and performed all over the world. This year’s roster includes Dana Landry (piano), Jim Sisko (trumpet), Brad Leali (sax), Ashley Summers (bass), Nate Kimball (trombone) and Chris Smith (drum set). Both evening concerts will feature outstanding high school and middle school performers, along with the UM Jazz Ensemble and other surprises.