College of the Ozarks Jazz Ensemble to perform concert this Thursday, Dec. 7

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks Jazz Ensemble will present a concert, a free event open to the public, this Thursday evening, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will take place in the Jones Auditorium on the College campus.

Dr. Kevin Powers, director, chooses pieces with care, and the program reflects his own appreciation and interest in contrasting jazz styles. He also said it is important for the College of the Ozarks Jazz Ensemble to play a wide variety of jazz music. 

“One of the special aspects for me with this concert is that the majority of the improvised solos will be performed by C of O student members of the ensemble,” Powers said. “In semesters past, it was primarily faculty who played these improvised solos since jazz improvisation can be very daunting: The performer is not reading notes on a page but instead is looking at chord symbols and then creating a melody on the spot. This is not only challenging but can be very intimidating. This semester, I am blessed to have several students step-up and tackle this aspect of jazz performance,” Powers said.                                                                                                        

The programs consists of the following:

Jazz Ensemble

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow - Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne/arr. Alan Baylock 
Count Bubba - Gordon Goodwin
Chameleon - Jay Chattaway
Poultry Guest - Les Hooper 
Lo How a Rose - arr. Bob Curnow
The Commissioner - Jeff Coffin, Ryan Middagh  
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - arr. Gordon Goodwin
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks, arr. Chris Sharp  

“Come and join the College of the Ozarks Jazz Ensemble for a great evening of live, big band jazz,” Powers said. “The concert will feature talented members of our music faculty along with gifted student jazz performers. The Jazz Ensemble will also be joined by the Ozarks area trombone jazz virtuoso Mr. Carl Hose. This is a concert you don’t want to miss!"  

The above press release is from College of the Ozarks.