ELLISVILLE- Continuing an eighteen-year tradition, Jones College’s Jazz Band along with vocal ensembles, JC Voices, and The Bridge will present “Java and Jazz” on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. on the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium stage. The Java & Jazz concert will feature a variety of great music and is free and open to the public. A variety of coffee, soft drinks, and baked good refreshments will be available during the concert.
Java & Jazz is a concert blend of instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles including the Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Ben Burge, with vocal ensembles, JC Voices and The Bridge under the direction of Dr. Susan Smith and accompanist, Dr. David Goldblatt. Dr. Smith is assisted by Jennifer Bruton for JC Voices and Greg Wascoe assists with, The Bridge.
The Jazz Band will perform jazz standards such as the Latin Jazz Chart, “Guantanamera,” and standards such as, “Birdland,” “Take Five,” and “At Last,” featuring vocal soloist, Reagan Dukes of Laurel. The band will also play some funk and rock charts including, “Down to the Night Club,” made famous by Tower of Power, and “Vehicle,” by the Ides of March.
“I am very proud of my students. They have really worked hard on this music and we are all looking forward to our concert. I’m confident the audience will enjoy the blend of jazz, pop and rock music,” said Dr. Burge.
Vocal jazz ensembles, JC Voices and the primarily a cappella ensemble, The Bridge will share the spotlight with the Jazz Band. These young vocalists will take you on a journey of folk, jazz, contemporary pop, blues, and Broadway tunes with selections like, Cole Porter’s, “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” Irving Berlin’s, “Puttin’ On the Ritz,” and Duke Ellington’s, “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” to the Blues of Lead Belly’s, “Bring Me a Little Water Silvy,” and the historically revered, “Four Brothers.”
Both vocal groups will be joined by guest faculty and student instrumentalists, Dr. Michael Boyd, (electric bass and banjo) and Zach Gregore-Petal (percussion). Dr. David Goldblatt will also accompany JC Voices and Bridge students in Great American Songbook standards. Vocal students of Gregory Wascoe and Susan Smith, will also light up the stage with songs that have been covered by famous artists from Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé, to Lady Gaga.
“For some of these students, this will be their last performance at Jones because they are graduating,” said JC Voices director, Dr. Susan Smith. “We’re excited to feature Davonzell Moncrief of Montrose who delights the audience singing, ‘I’m Gonna Live Till I Die, by Al Hoffman, Walter Kent, and Manny Kurtz. Also, Addison Nelms from Brandon and JD Bilbo of Ellisville cut a rug with, ‘I Won’t Dance,’ from Roberta by Jerome Kern.”
JC Voices is conducted by Dr. Susan Smith and accompanied by Dr. David Goldblatt. Associate conductors are Jennifer Bruton (JC Voices) and Gregory Wascoe (The Bridge). For more information about JC’s Fine Arts Department call 601-477-4203.
Jazz Band Personnel
Dr. Ben Burge
Joshua Anderson- Greenville
John Harrison – Laurel
Sydney Herrington- Enterprise
Anthony Shanks – Waynesboro
Brandon Pedersen- Petal
Bethany Miller – South Jones
Hayden Brewer – Waynesboro
Alex Graves – Laurel
Aimee Green – Petal
Brandon Broome – Sumrall
Logan Donald – Ellisville
Ryan Nowell – Ellisville
Nick May – Mendenhall
Michael Brown – Laurel
Matthew Dodd – Petal
Zack Gregore – Petal
Matthew Haight – Mobile, Alabama
Tristan Garret -Laurel
DaVonzell Moncrief – Ellisville
Amanda Flynn- Petal
Cortland Goff – Ellisville
JC Voices & The Bridge Personnel
Dr. Susan Smith
Jennifer Bruton, Assistant Conductor
(JC Voices)
Mr. Greg Wascoe, Assistant Conductor Bass
(The Bridge)
Dr. David Goldblatt, Accompanist
Joshua Anderson, Sand Hill
Kalyn Bales, Stringer
Ella Barker, Hattiesburg
**James Bilbo, Ellisville
Faith Bufkin, Moselle
**Jorge Castillo, Ellisville
**Kassidy Chandler, Laurel
Mary Coats, Taylorsville
Hayden Dillistone, Laurel
**Reagan Dukes, Laurel
Matthew Haight, Mobile, AL
Victor Harris, Laurel
Della Jones, Hattiesburg
**Davonzell Moncrief, Montrose
**Addison Nelms, Brandon
Stuyuncey Nobles, Laurel
**Caleb Pearce, Ellisville
Shellie Roberts, Ellisville
**Kendra Stevison, Lucedale
**The Bridge Vocal Jazz Ensemble