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Jazzin’ things up
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Whether you’re a musician with a smooth, groovin’ beat to play or a jazz lovin’, foot tappin’ listener, the Gene Harris April Jazz Bash held today and tomorrow in the Jordan Ballroom of the Student Union Building will most certainly rock your socks.
For 10 years, the Gene Harris Jazz Festival has been on a self-proclaimed mission “to educate, entertain and enrich listeners of all ages in Boise and surrounding communities to the exciting sound of all forms of jazz music.”
Aside from providing scholarships, the Gene Harris Jazz Festival puts on clinics to educate young musicians, which is primarily what the April Jazz Bash is all about.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., more than 1,000 high school and junior high students will be on campus to play with their bands and compete.
They will have the wonderful opportunity to receive instruction, advice and constructive critiques from nationally known jazz educators and experienced musicians. They will also have the chance to mingle with other students who share similar jazzy interests.
After the students compete, the three best groups will participate in the evening concerts which begin at 6:30 p.m. and feature live music from several talented professionals.
Best of all, Boise State students are welcome to watch, hang and rock out for free. The general public is also welcome and can purchase tickets for $15, a small price to pay to experience some quality, snazzy, jazz.
Some of the featured musicians who will be responsible for all this snazzy jazz are trumpeter Lou Soloff, Boise State alumnus and pianist, Andy Nevala, drummer Matt Jorgensen and another BSU alumnus and trumpeter Ryan Nielsen, among others.
The Gene Harris Jazz Festival will continue on into June, featuring two exciting events including the first Gene Harris Jazz Competition and the ever-eventful Club Night.
In cooperation with Origin Records, the competition will give unsigned jazz bands a shot at a recording contract – ensembles only need to submit their original works, whether that’s a CD, video, DVD or Youtube video, electronically or through the mail.
Details for contest rules and submissions can be found at geneharris.org.
The finalists will compete at the Big Easy Concert House during Club Night June 19 and the winner will receive a recording project with Origin Records and will open for Roy Hayes June 20 at the concert finale in the Morrison Center. Concert-goers can cast their votes in determining who will win the competition.
Club Night is a groovin’ night on the town from 5:30-10:30 p.m. at a variety of venues downtown including The Reef, The Rose Room, The Balcony Club, The Egyptian Theatre and The Gamekeeper Lounge as well as others. One ticket covers entrance to all the shows. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at idahotickets.com, by phone at 426-1494 or at the door.
SHERIKA MARTINEZ
Assistant Culture Editor
