Director Dan Aldag rehearses the Jazz Orchestra

Jazz Orchestra Swings Through the Decades

From Ellington to Radiohead, the HSU Jazz Orchestra swings through the decades on Saturday December 10 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.

The 1940s are represented by Big Band classics, including a landmark Billy Strayhorn tune for the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Two pieces from the 1950s celebrate the Swing era, including a Nat King Cole tune featuring vocalist Jo Kuzelka.

From the 1960s comes the hard bop of Herbie Hancock, and from the 1990s a Kenny Wheeler piece that features Justin Bertolini on flugelhorn. Philip Sagastume performs a tenor sax solo on a Radiohead tune from the year 2000: “Everything In Its Right Place.”

After performing his composition “Energy Generation” with his quartet here in September, jazz saxophonist Donny McCaslin left an orchestra arrangement of this tune with HSU professor and Jazz Orchestra leader Dan Aldag. Its performance features Matt Brogdon on tenor sax. The concert rounds out with an original tune by HSU student Aber Miller.

The HSU Jazz Orchestra performs on Saturday December 10 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Dan Aldag, produced by the HSU Music Department.

Media: Humboldt State Now, Arcata Eye