VSU Hosts TitleTown Jazz Concert Feb. 9

Upcoming Jazz Events at VSU: • Faculty recital featuring Joren Cain on saxophone at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 • Student recital featuring Joshua Rivers on piano at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27 • Faculty Jazz Combo at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 7 • New Jazz Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 • Jazz Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 • Student Jazz Combos at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 Note: All performances are held in Whitehead Auditorium and are free of charge and open to the public.

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State University Department of Music will present its annual TitleTown Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, in Whitehead Auditorium. Admission is free of charge and open to the public.

The TitleTown Jazz Concert will feature performances by the VSU Jazz Ensemble and New Jazz Ensemble, Valdosta High School Jazz Ensemble, and Appling County High School Jazz Ensemble. Each group will perform three to four jazz favorites.

The VSU Jazz Ensemble is directed by David Springfield and features Nick Johnson, Jacora Smart, Joshua Duncan, Brennan Short, and Smokey Rowell on saxophone; Richard Burkhalter, Johann Chancey, and Noah Jackson on trombone; Jonathan Lacey on bass trombone; Gilmar Cavalcante, Alex Washington, Craig Thomas, and Miller Moor on trumpet; Joshua Rivers and Jody Morris on piano; Matt Mullis on guitar; Abbee Diaz and Kendrick Jacobs on bass; and Paul Campiglia on drums. It will perform “Black Friday,” written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker and arranged by Fred Sturm; “Patience,” written by Fred Sturm; “Breathing,” written by Fred Sturm and arranged by David Springfield; and “Straight No Chaser,” written by Thelonious Monk and arranged by Fred Sturm.

The VSU New Jazz Ensemble is directed by Joren Cain and features Shannon Selph, Keeian Roberts, Tamra Jones, Quincy Chapman, Kevin Carbone, and Jo’van Austin on saxophone; Corey Hopson, Nick Myers, Melissa Wilcox, and Justin Brinson on trombone; Ronald Ravnell on bass trombone; Corey Crofoot, Drew Everett, Cody Stebbins, and Nick Cannady on trumpet; Tyler Griffin and Jody Morris on piano; Richard Brito on guitar; Kymani Culmer and Doug Cooley on bass; and Charles Darr on drums. It will perform “April in Paris,” written by Vernon Duke and arranged by Bob Lowden; “Lauralisa,” written by Frank Mantooth; “Main Line Shuffle,” written by Jeff Jarvis; and “Hoe Down,” written by Oliver Nelson.

The Valdosta High School Jazz Ensemble is directed by Andrew Hill and features Malique Wilkerson, Mykal Mcleish, Jaylen Canon, Tyson Crosby, Xavier Lee, and Aaron Graham on saxophone; Chandler Haire, Rashaan Skrine, and Tripp Fleming on trumpet; Mia Edgerton, La’Rissa Jones, and Amanda Lacey on vocals; Marquis Grant, Ben Huffman, Samantha Kassum, Jacob Norris, and Jackson Page on trombone; Drew Parker and Hubert Hogan on piano; Jordan Love on bass; and Cameron Griner on drums. It will perform “Blues for J,” written by Dave Mills; “All of Me,” written by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks and arranged by Rick Stitzel; and “Afro Blue,” written by Mongo Santamaria and arranged by Michael Philip Mossman.

The Appling County High School Jazz Ensemble is directed by Jonathan Hickox and features Nathan Wiles, Sierra Cray, Levi Hale, and Daniel Gonzalez on saxophone; Ashton Brinkley, Rafael Carrillo, Joshua Ammons, Jasmine Noble, Matthew Sutton, and Jared Allen on trumpet; Nathaniel Banton, Pierce Tanner, Jaime Jaramillo, and Bailey Griffin on trombone; Coby Stone on guitar; Tripp Hardee on piano; Ethan Haynes on bass; and Stewart Magee on drums. It will perform “The Blues Walk,” written by Clifford Brown and arranged by Paul Murtha; “Send in the Clowns,” written by Stephen Sondheim and arranged by David Wolpe; “Sweet Lorraine,” written by Cliff Burwell and Mitchell Parrish and arranged by David Wolpe; and “Vehicle,” written by James Peterik and arranged by Paul Jennings.

Whitehead Auditorium is located on the first floor of VSU’s Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/music/welcome.php

http://www.facebook.com/VSUJazz

http://www.youtube.com/vsujazz

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.