Jazz ensemble takes act to Switzerland music festival
Students will perform six concerts over 10-day period in Switzerland and Germany.
By Deepa Sampat
Friday, July 4th, 2008
The University’s Jazz Ensemble I will perform at the 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland next week. The world famous festival will include acts from Quincy Jones, Alicia Keys and N.E.R.D.
“It’s a huge honor anytime we get selected for something like this,” said Dan Gailey, director of jazz studies. “It’s recognition of a job well done. I think the students are really excited about it.”
The ensemble will give two performances at the festival on July 15 and July 16. The students will be in Europe from July 13 to July 22, performing six total concerts in Switzerland and Germany.
Eric Beahan, Derby senior, said this would be his first time traveling out of the country. He said he was looking forward to experiencing different cultures.
“I hope to broaden my horizons by getting to visit different countries and meeting new people,” Beahan said. “People from across the whole world go to the festival. It will be exciting to meet musicians and share the music.”
Mary Huntimer, Watertown, S.D., graduate student, said she was exited to be invited to the festival because of its reputation.
“The Montreux festival is world renown for its jazz music, so it’s quite an honor,” she said. “It’s a chance for other people to hear the music and for us to represent the University and to show our best face to them.”
The trip is funded by the chancellor’s office, provost’s office, School of Fine Arts, music and dance department and the students themselves.
“We had a number of parties come through that were very generous,” Gailey said. “Between all those sources we were able to scrape it together.”
Gailey said the University had a history of producing successful jazz bands, but he was especially proud of the efforts the students in the ensemble had shown this year.
“It’s as good a band as I’ve ever had,” Gailey said. “It’s a good band to take and show on a national stage. They are going to be excellent. The band has been spectacular this year.”
— Edited by Jesse Temple
Discussion
All comments are moderated by Kansan.com staff. For our full user policy, click here.
Share your 2¢
Requires free registration.