Reassembling the Horizon with HSU Jazz Orchestra 

From the most famous Mexican bolero and a 1950s torch song to a Stevie Wonder classic, the HSU Jazz Orchestra reassembles jazz horizons in its May 11 concert at Fulkerson Recital Hall. 

 The full Orchestra plays an adaptation of Stevie Wonder’s 1970s hit, “Superstition,” and reinvents a Duke Ellington spoof of the 1940s craze for the conga called “The Flaming Sword.” "Picture Carmen Miranda with a line of people behind her, all with their hands on the hips of the person in front of them," suggests director Dan Aldag.

Vocalist Jo Kuzelka sings a jazz version of the 1950s hit “Cry Me A River,” and sings “Seven Steps to Heaven,” a tune made famous by Miles Davis, which also features solos by trumpeter Andrew Henderson and tenor saxist Nick Durant. 

Kuzelka does a vocal of a different kind on "The Clown," with music by jazz bassist Charles Mingus and a spoken word text by Jean Shepherd, a Chicago radio humorist best known as the author of "A Christmas Story." 

“Besame Mucho,” the most-often recorded Mexican song, is arranged by Jazz Orchestra guitarist Dan Fair, with solos by Fair and pianist Alex Espe. The concert also includes tunes by Mary Lou Williams, the great Argentinean composer Astor Piazolla, and “Horizon Reassembled” by living jazz legend Bobby Watson. 

The HSU Jazz Orchestra performs on Saturday May 11 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7/3/free to HSU students with ID, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Directed by Dan Aldag, produced by the HSU Music Department. 

Media: Humboldt State Now, Arcata Eye