VSU Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month with April 19 Concert

John David

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University will present a Jazz Appreciation Month concert, featuring the Jazz Ensemble and special guest drummer John David, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, in Whitehead Auditorium. Admission is free of charge and open to the public.

David Springfield, assistant professor of jazz piano and director of the Jazz Studies Program in VSU’s Department of Music, said that his 19-member Jazz Ensemble and John David will perform a selection of jazz favorites. The program lineup features “Switch in Time” by Sammy Nestico, “Spring Ain’t Here” by Pat Metheny, “All of Me” by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks, “The Maids of Cadiz” by Leo Delibes,” Ol’ Man River by Jerome Kern, “Randi” by Phil Woods, “Pass It On” by Dave Holland, and “All My Life” by the Foo Fighters.

Atlanta-based John David is one of the most sought-after drummers in the Southeast. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe in a variety of jazz and commercial settings and on more than 20 studio recordings with such notable artists as Arturo Sandoval, Bruce Hornsby, and the Jaco Pastorius Big Band. He has twice received international awards from DownBeat, a monthly magazine considered to be the “bible” of jazz, blues, and roots music.

John David current serves as artist-in-residence and director of the Jazz and Percussion Studies Program in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Berry College. He also directs the college’s Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, and Viking Drumline; teaches studio percussion and courses in music education; and supervises student teachers. He holds degrees from the University of Miami, University of Georgia, and Columbus State University.

The Jazz Appreciation Month concert will be webcast live at www.useducationtv.com/default.aspx?sid=286.

Designed by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History and supported by the United States Congress, Jazz Appreciation Month, recognized each April, “is intended to draw public attention to the glories of jazz as both a historical and living treasure.”

VSU’s celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month will conclude with a free performance by the Student Jazz Combos at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, in Whitehead Auditorium.

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

Contact David Springfield at (229) 333-5805 or daspring@valdosta.edu to learn more.

On the Web:

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

http://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/jazz-appreciation-month

https://www.berry.edu/academics/humanities/fs/jdavid/

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.