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FSU’s Department of Music to Present Jazz Combo in Virtual Fall Concert

Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will present its Jazz Combo in a virtual fall concert on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. The streaming recital is free to view online; click the red "Join Stream" button at right to join the livestream of the pre-recorded recital.

If you can't join the livestream, music recitals are available for viewing anytime on YouTube: Frostburg Music Department.  (Movie theatre-style  viewing of the pre-recorded performance is available for 50 members of the FSU community on a first-come, first-served basis.)

Directed by Tom Harrison, the FSU Jazz Combo consists of Brice Simpson on trumpet, Andrew Hartnett on piano, Shawn Zimmerman on guitar, Ryan Barber on drums and Harrison on bass.

The stylistic theme for the concert leans toward the hard bop and soul jazz styles that gained popularity during the late ’50s and the ’60s and have influenced the genre to the present. This type of music incorporates elements of gospel, soul and blues, with memorable melodies and repeated funky rhythms. This makes the jazz style more accessible to the general public, while still allowing room for musicians to display their talent for improvisation.

Some swing, Latin and a ballad will also be included in the concert.

“The Jody Grind” is from the 1956 album of the same name by Horace Silver that reached number 8 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart. The original recording featured Pittsburgh drummer Roger Humphries who still performs in the Pittsburgh area.

“Recordame,” written by saxophonist Joe Henderson when he was 15 years old, has become a jazz standard.

“Ladybird,” composed by pianist Tadd Dameron, is one of the most frequently performed songs in jazz. The Jazz Combo arrangement incorporates a John Coltrane chord progression to substitute for parts of the song.

“Cantaloupe Island” is one of the most popular tunes composed by Herbie Hancock in 1964 while he was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet. It appeared on Hancock’s “Empyrean Isles” album.

“A Quiet Summer” is a pensive jazz ballad written by Simpson and reflects on the summer of 2020.

“Smile Meditation” was written by Woody Goss of Vulfpeck, a group that has gained wide appeal among younger audiences with its jazz-, funk- and R&B-influenced music.

“Invitation,” composed by Bronislaw Kaper with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, was used in the 1950 film “A Life of Her Own.” Because of its exotic melody and structure, the song has been a favorite of jazz and Latin jazz artists.

“Cold Duck Time,” a soul jazz tune by Eddie Harris, a Chicago jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer of “Freedom Jazz Dance,” was first performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1969.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, musical performances before public audiences will not be held until conditions warrant. However, the Department of Music is planning a series of online presentations. Links will be posted at www.frostburg.edu/concerts. For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

Event Details

  • Jennifer Dieterle

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