CANCELLED: The Jazz Festival Concert scheduled for Feb. 4 has been cancelled. Patrons will be issued a refund via their original method of payment. For those who paid in cash, a University check will be issued in a timely manner. Due to weather conditions, the River Campus Box Office is closed Feb. 3. For more information, email tickets@semo.edu.
Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Music presents its Gala Festival Concert as a part of the Jazz Series Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast’s River Campus.
The concert will feature jazz pianist and Hammond B-3 organist, Dr. Alton Merell. Also featured will be Southeast’s Studio Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Lab Band under the direction of Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson, Southeast director of jazz studies and assistant professor of trombone/euphonium.
Audiences will be regaled with compositions and arrangements from Joe Henderson, Paul Baker, Alan Baylock, John Clayton, Fred Sturm, Gordon Goodwin, George Shutack, Greg Yasinitsky, Matt Harris and Jeff Jarvis.
The Jazz Lab, led by Jefferson and comprised of both music and non-music majors, will be playing “Beg, Borrow and Steal,” “Blue Diamond,” “Prayer Meetin’” and “Updraft.”
The concert will close with the Studio Jazz performing “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” “Michelangelo,” “Hunting Wabbits,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “Hittin’ at Minton’s” and “Inner Urge.”
Student soloists include:
- Clayton Seabaugh (tenor sax)
- Jack Graham (trumpet)
- Sarah Grosse (trumpet)
- Alex Evrley (trombone)
- Ashleigh Green (trombone)
- Josh Grant (trombone)
- Brendan Iverson (trombone)
- Holden Jennings (guitar)
Tickets
Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampus.org.
Guest Artist Biography
Merrell is a world class pianist, Hammond B-3 organist, composer and educator. He has performed and taught throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and parts of the Caribbean.
Merrell’s musical artistry is a unique blend of lyrical melodies, rich harmonies and fluid technique that spans multiple music genres including jazz, gospel, classical, pop, and rhythm and blues. Whether performing his own compositions or commissioned to celebrate the music of legendary artists, Merrell’s rich musical interpretations take listeners on spirit-filled excursions that deeply touch the soul.
Merrell is a sought-after jazz pianist who has performed with legendary artists, including Dee Bridgewater, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Roger Humphries, Sean Jones, Hubert Laws, Delfeayo Marsalis, Christian McBride, Jimmy Owes, Rufus Reed, Sachal Vasandani and Jeff “Tain” Watts. He also regularly performs with Pittsburgh’s best jazz artists.