The UNL Jazz Orchestra (Dr. Paul Haar, director) and the UNL Big Band (Patrick Brown, director) will present a “Kick-Off” concert to celebrate the start of the jazz concert season in the Glenn Korff School of Music on Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kimball Recital Hall. The concert will also feature new band fronts thanks to a gift from local supporters John and Laurie Tavlin.
“John (Tavlin) and I were talking in a lesson about me taking back over the UNL JO and he and I agreed that it would be great if we could add something visual to an already strong musical presentation,” Haar said, who is the director of the Jazz Studies program at the Glenn Korff School of Music. “After all, going to a concert isn’t just about what you hear…although that is always our major focus. It is about a total presentation that shows the audience that there is something special. This can be done with lighting, dress, etc.”
Tavlin added, “I'm very interested in helping to promote the Jazz Studies program, not only in terms of internal excellence but from a student recruitment standpoint as well. The jazz band program began during the time I was growing up in the 1960's. In those days the band was called the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Jazz Band. It was under the direction of Professor Dennis Schneider. Originally the band wasn't even an official UNL program. Later it became an official UNL program under the title of the "Jazz Lab Band" program. In those days Jazz Lab I (which was the top jazz band) was considered an extremely elite band. Students strived to be members of that band, it was a mark of distinction, something to aspire to and be proud of.
“I want the elite positioning of the Jazz Orchestra and Big Band to be restored. An important factor in that restoration is presenting the Jazz Orchestra and Big Band in as professional a format as possible so that the concerts are visual as well as aural productions. All professional big bands play behind fronts. That's a standard and expected mark of professionalism. I felt that it was important for the Jazz Orchestra and Big Band to appear on stage in the same visual format as a professional big band. That was the genesis of the idea.”
This event will showcase music and themes from the many upcoming UNL Jazz concerts available to the public this year. Music will include original works and arrangements by UNL students and faculty, works from historically important big bands and selections by our spring 2016 guest composer, George Stone.
The UNL Jazz Orchestra is the university’s showcase jazz organization and one of the Glenn Korff School of Music’s most visible performing groups. UNL Big Band is a vital component of the UNL jazz curriculum.
“The jazz fronts are nice, but it is more the gesture behind it,” Haar added. “The Tavlin’s have been such supporters of our program and jazz in Lincoln. This gift signifies a friendship and a foundation of building something lasting and unique at the Glenn Korff School of Music. John and Laurie Tavlin are great people and recognize the uniqueness of our faculty and our program. The front is small, yet impressive, and visual of a greater relationship and vision.”
Tavlin added, “I gave Paul the discretion to choose the fronts and design the artwork for the fronts as he felt was best for the program. He ran several ideas past me and we found we were of like mind as to the design. I'm very pleased with the way the fronts turned out. I think they represent the program very professionally.”
Tickets for the performances are General Admission $5; Student/Seniors $3.