A mix of jazz standards and original contemporary compositions performed by UNL's Faculty Jazz Ensemble is featured in "Jazz Cabaret," a new NET Television special airing at 8 p.m., July 6 on NET1 and NET-HD. The program repeats at 7:30 p.m., July 16 on NET2.
Delivering a showcase of jazz artistry, the UNL Faculty Jazz Ensemble is comprised of Paul Haar, saxophone; Darryl White, trumpet; Eric Richards, trombone; Peter Bouffard, guitar; Rusty White, double bass; Tom Larson, piano; and Steve Helfand, drums. Joining the septet on several songs is UNL graduate student and alto saxophonist Brandon Holloman.
Taped before a live audience in an intimate cabaret-style setting, the 30-minute Jazz Cabaret opens with a Bouffard-arranged performance of the George Gershwin standard "A Foggy Day," with Holloman on alto, followed by Haar, Richards and Bouffard soloing on Hank Mobley's soulful "Funk in Deep Freeze."
Bouffard on guitar, White on trumpet and Richards on trombone are featured soloists on pianist Larson's mellow original composition "Luke." The ensemble closes out the performance with a foot-stomping, feel-good rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown."
"Jazz Cabaret" is a production of NET Television in collaboration with the UNL School of Music.