'Jazz on the Hill' welcomes spring to Slayter Center

Purdue University Bands popular "Jazz on the Hill" encourages music fans to make the most of spring's warmer weather and enjoy an outdoor concert on Friday, April 23, at Slayter Center of Performing Arts.

The concert runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Slayter Center, located on the corner of Stadium and Intramural on campus. Admission is free.

Musicians in four jazz bands, including the Purdue Jazz Band will be featured along with several student combos. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets for lawn seating, and picnic dinners.

Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity will make sandwiches and soft drinks available.

"We'll be doing a lot of Latin jazz because it just fits the outdoors," says jazz band director Mo Trout who plans on keeping the mood lively.

Several Chick Corea tunes do their part to enliven the mix including the Studio Jazz Band's rendition of "Spain" and the Concert Jazz Band's presentation of "La Fiesta," a Corea tune made famous on a recording by the Woody Herman Band in the 1960s.

A little known Beatles tune, "Norwegian Wood," that was adapted for big band by Buddy Rich, will also be performed by the Studio Jazz Band. Those who enjoy tunes that paint musical pictures will revel in the Concert Jazz Band's interpretation of Matt Harris' "North Shore Morning," a tune inspired by the picturesque drive along Lake Shore Drive into Chicago.

The Lab Jazz Band's line-up includes the Latin jazz tune "Cabeza de Carne" which translates to "meathead." It features Dan Campbell, a sophomore engineering major from Mishawaka, on trombone. Switching gears, the band will present "Lazy Day," written by one of the jazz world's most noted women composers, Toshiko Akyoshi, who's conducted a big band in New York City for 25 years. It features Matt Iles, a freshman alto sax player from West Lafayette who's majoring in science.

Bringing the evening to a close is the department's premier ensemble, the Purdue Jazz Band. The band's saxophones get spotlights in several tunes. "Rebel Rousers" offers an extended solo for the entire section. "Moonlight in Vermont" offers Kevin Davidson, a senior technology major from Munster, his own sax spotlight.

The band also plays "Bucking for the Buck," a tune by pianist/composer David Cutler who recently spent time in the recording studio with the musicians for a new Purdue jazz CD being released in the fall of 2004.

For more information on Purdue University Bands and its concerts call (765) 496-6785.