On Nov. 21, the Drake Jazz Program will host a concert for the release of its new CD. The concert will be held at Patty’s Place in the Turner Jazz Center on the Drake University campus. This event begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
The album, “Big Band Classics,” features timeless hits including, “In the Mood,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” Copies of the CD will be sold at the concert. Drake’s Jazz Ensemble One, the University’s leading jazz ensemble, has been invited to Europe to perform at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival and CD sales will help fund the trip.
Andrew Classen, the Fred and Patty Turner Professor of Jazz Studies, directs the ensemble, which was named the Outstanding College Jazz Ensemble at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire Jazz Festival all eight times the band has attended. The group has also performed at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival, Elmhurst Jazz Festival, and the University of Kansas Jazz Festival. Jazz One has toured Europe four times in the past.
Classen is an active trumpet player and educator. He plays most of the Broadway shows at the Des Moines Civic Center, is the principal trumpet player with Orchestra Iowa, and leader of the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra. His solo CD, “It’s About Time,” is available on the iTunes music store.
This event is sponsored by the Drake University Jazz Program.
For more information, contact Andrew Classen at 515-229-3653 or andrew.classen@drake.edu.