AM Jazz Band Plays a Six-Pack of Jazz

The AM Jazz Band plays a six-pack of jazz classics by both the well-known and the under-appreciated on Thursday May 3 in the Fulkerson Recital Hall.

The well-knowns are Dizzy Gillespie (“Manteca), Miles Davis (“So What”) and Billy Strayhorn, famous composer for Duke Ellington (“Take the A Train.”)

Philadelphia’s Bobby Timmons was a sideman for Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, but also a composer with a distinctive mix of gospel, soul and jazz. The AM Jazz Band plays one of his much-recorded songs, “Moanin’.” 

Ray Wetzel was a jazz trumpeter’s trumpeter in the 40s and early 50s, who played with everybody from Woody Herman to Maynard Ferguson. The band plays his tune recorded by Stan Kenton, “Intermission Riff.” 

Sid Wyche was a Julliard educated jazz composer who played jazz piano and sang the blues. The band plays his “Alright, Okay, You Win,” which was recorded by Count Basie, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington and others.

  The AM Jazz Band performs on Thursday May 3 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7/$3 students and seniors, and free to HSU students, from the HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Sky Miller, produced by HSU Music Department.

Media Preview: Arcata Eye, Humboldt State Now.