April 26, 2019
Spring jazz concert highlights a fun mix of original and classic tunes
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Get ready to jive and jazz with a fun concert coming to Shryock May 3. Southern Illinois’ premiere jazz ensemble, The New Arts Jazztet, will bring a unique mix of original and classic pieces, creating an evening that is perfect for the whole family.
Fresh sounds and a new take on classics
As a long-standing tradition at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the spring concert focuses on bringing relevant, classic and new jazz sounds to the local community. Instead of only highlighting popular or common pieces, the goal is to offer a good representation of jazz with many unique tunes, Bob Allison, NAJ member and SIU music professor, explained.
“We usually gravitate towards less-well-known pieces,” Allison said. “We look for tunes that are off the beaten path, but challenge us as musicians. This really gives the audience a different take on jazz and gives them fresh sounds.”
Formed in 1980s by several SIU School of Music faculty, the New Arts Jazztet group is Southern Illinois’ leading jazz group. In addition to their fall and spring concerts, the group often performs at other local venues.
Current NAJ members include:
- Dick Kelley, reeds.
- Bob Allison, trumpet.
- Isaac Lausell, guitar.
- Phil Brown, bass.
- Jimmy Beers, drums.
The concert program includes original selections by Lausell and Kelley, along with an up-tempo tune by jazz artist, Stefan Karlsson, a ballad from a Broadway show by Jule Styne, a piece from saxophonist, Dick Oatts, an Afro-Latin tune by legendary jazz pianist, McCoy Tyner and much more.
Concert set for May 3
The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. on May 3. Tickets are $6, and available at the door before the concert.
For more information, contact Phil Brown at 618/303-8051 or philbrown@siu.edu.