The Lee University Small Jazz ensembles will give a concert on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Dixon Center. Ensemble One is directed by Shawn Perkinson, and Ensemble Two is directed by Tom Hurst and James Ward.
The programs will feature “I Thought About You” by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer, “There Will Never Be Another You” by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon, “Nature Song” by Chiara Civello, “Once I Loved” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, “Sandu” by Clifford Brown and Max Roach, and “Unit 7” by Sam Jones.
Ensemble One performers, led by Mr. Perkinson, include Matt Blissenbach, bass; Chris Brown, vocalist; Amelia Crabtree, vocalist; Daniel Guevera, guitar; Eva Kim, piano; and Ryan Williams, guitar.
Mr. Perkinson is the jazz guitar instructor at Lee. He studied with the legendary Mark Boling, Donald Brown, and Jerry Coker while earning his bachelor degree in studio music and jazz from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He has performed and recorded with many different groups and artists over the years, including The Charlie Daniels Band, Widespread Panic, and Confederate Railroad, with music ranging stylistically from rock, country, bluegrass, and gospel to blues and jazz.
Ensemble Two performers, led by Mr. Hurst and Mr. Ward, include Anna Marie Brendel, vocalist; Sydney Devoe, vocalist; Kyle Dykes, trombone; Joshua Gardner, guitar; Alex Loftin, drums; Michelle Pranoto, piano; and Japheth Varlack, bass.
Mr. Hurst is a Nashville-based percussionist, educator, and clinician. He has supported artists across the spectrum of popular music for 25 years, whether behind the drum kit or playing ethnic percussion. The Backstreet Boys, Gary Allan, Wang Chung, Chuck Wicks, Tiffany, Joe Nichols, Sister Hazel, Tracy Lawrence, Peter Noon of Herman’s Hermits, and James Otto are a few of the national/international artists that have utilized Mr. Hurst’s performance services for touring and/or recording.
Mr. Ward is a composer, performer, and recording artist who resides in Chattanooga. He has studied with Brown, Boling, and Coker, and currently serves as an adjunct professor of jazz at Covenant College. Mr. Ward is retired from the music directorship at New City Fellowship Presbyterian Church, a cross-cultural congregation in Chattanooga. Mr. Ward has recorded 14 albums and has written several hit songs, as well as numerous contemporary praise songs, including the contemporary setting of “Rock of Ages.”
This is a free, non-ticketed event, open to the public.
For more information, contact the School of Music at 614-8240.