The UNL Jazz Orchestra and the UNL Big Band combine for their first performance of the Spring semester in Kimball Recital Hall on Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. The UNL Big Band, under the direction of Jesse McBee, will be performing Hay Burner, Next Season and Bye Bye Blackbird. The UNL Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Paul Haar, will then take the stage to perform Gotham City, Just Like That, The Touch of Your Lips, Tom Sails Away, Beast (by our own Andrew Janak) and Bowman Pulls the Plug (by our own Tom Larson).
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. This versatile ensemble performs all styles of music, from Duke Ellington to the contemporary artists of today. Former members of the Jazz Orchestra include Victor Lewis, Laurie Frink, and Matt Wallace. In addition to numerous performances in the Lincoln/Omaha area, the UNL Jazz Orchestra has been heard on NPR’s Jazz Set with Branford Marsalis.
UNL Big Band is a vital component of the UNL jazz curriculum. Through intensive rehearsal and performance, students are encouraged to develop and nurture the fundamental skills necessary to perform a wide variety of repertoire, and to engage in the creative process through improvisation. UNL Big Band is specifically designed to motivate and inform music educators and aspiring teachers through innovative programming and pedagogical methods.
The performance will also be live webcast. Visit music.unl.edu for the direct link the night of the performance. Tickets are General Admission $5; Students/Seniors $3.