The Southeastern Jazz Ensemble II, conducted by Dr. Richard A. Schwartz, performed a selection of jazz and blues pieces from the 1930s and 1940s in the Pottle Music Building Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 3.
The performance featured guest artist Larry Panella, director of jazz studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, who performed tenor saxophone solos throughout. The theme of the concert was “The Prez,” named after Lester Young, “President of the Saxophone,” who composed a variety of jazz pieces throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
“Considering how busy we’ve been this semester, the performance came out really well,” said junior Allen Cutrer, III trombone, majoring in electronic media. “We start off the semester every year not knowing how things will turn out with different people coming in, so we take things as they here.”
Panella arrived the morning of the concert with a small window of time to rehearse with the ensemble before the performance. Despite the limited preparation, audience praise was high.
“This performance was incredible. The soloists were truly talented and the selections were superb,” said freshman Matthew Krumm, majoring in criminal justice. “Bringing in Larry Panella was a great addition for the jazz well.”
An upcoming jazz performance from Southeastern Jazz Ensemble I will be held Friday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts.
For more information regarding Southeastern jazz performances contact Schwartz at richard.schwartz@selu.edu or Dr. Kenneth Boulton, interim department head for the department of fine and performing arts, at kenneth.boulton@selu.edu.