Concert gives all that jazz

Victoria Mcginty, Staff writer

On Feb. 22 at 7 p.m., the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble once again hits the stage to bring an excellent concert to the Mercyhurst community.

The concert will take place at the Mary D’ Angelo Performing Arts Center.

Note that this is a different lo-cation than the ensemble usually performs in due to the Theatre Department’s production of “Babes in Arms” in the Taylor Little Theatre this weekend.

This season alone, the ensemble of 15 has performed an array of Bossa Nova hits and classic jazz charts.

The group is made up of two trombones, five saxophones, four trumpets and a rhythm section with four musicians.

The Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble has prepared some unique music for their half of the concert.

The set will be much funkier than the other concerts they have presented this year.

Another notable feature of this concert is that the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble will be sharing the stage with the Presque Isle Jazz Orchestra, who will play the second half of the concert on the PAC stage.

For this concert, the audience can expect an array of pieces and styles from Bossa Nova to Jazz Funk and anywhere in between from the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble.

One of the charts that is programmed is called “Tank.”

Arranged by Eric Dannewitz, this piece is a jazz-rock piece most famous for being the theme song to the television show “Cowboy Bebop.”

Another song the ensemble is set to play is “Ash,” a Bert Ligon Bossa Nova-swing arrangement that is both lively and a lesser-known treasure.

Following those pieces, audiences will be treated to an arrangement of “When You’re Smiling.”

This is an arrangement of the classic swing tune, first performed by Louis Armstrong in 1929.

Finally, for their last piece, the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble is set to play Gerhard Guter’s “Bossa De Barro.”

This Bossa Nova arrangement is a Latin chart with flare in every measure.

It is allegedly the ensemble’s favorite piece to play.

Freshman Music Education major Jacob Perry, the group’s pianist, said that he is “excited for this concert because there are a lot of unique pieces.”

The leading big band of Erie, the Presque Isle Jazz Orchestra features many Mercyhurst alumni who once played in the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble.

While they have not released information about what their ensemble is performing, audiences can expect to be wowed by the music they will perform.

Perry said that this shared concert is a great opportunity for the Mercyhurst Jazz Ensemble as they will get to hear the Presque Isle Jazz Orchestra.

“I am excited to see and hear their set because I one day aspire to be just like them and maybe even be one of them,” Perry said.

Tickets are $6 for the general public and $3 for Mercyhurst students, staff and youth 12 and under.

For more information about this concert, those interested can email dangelomusic@mercyhurst.edu or call 814-824-2394.

Audiences won’t want to miss this event.