Jazz on John Street features UMO Jazz Band
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on February 28, 2018 5:50 AM
Jazz on John Street features a variety of jazz music, from traditional to contemporary, from smooth jazz to energetic dance music -- and it's all free.
The event is sponsored by the Arts Council of Wayne County and supported by the North Carolina State Arts Council grassroots grant.
It began in July 2017 with the Paul Bomar Quartet and continuing with piano player and vocalist Ernest Turner in September of that year, filling the Arts Council with spillover into the Art Market and Art Alley.
Jazz on John Street continues March 16.
The event features the University of Mount Olive Jazz Band, under the direction of Dr. William Ford, in collaboration with poet Dr. Lenard Moore, performing classic jazz standards.
The audience will hear the essentials of jazz music improvisation and techniques combined with the poetic voice as a jazz instrument.
The jazz band has been a popular course at the university for the past four years, Ford said. It has grown from five members to as many as 15, and performs the music of many jazz composers, past and present.
"The beauty of playing in different ensembles is not only the exposure to different repertoire, but in developing an understanding of how one's instrument and parts fit into the whole," Ford said. "In small ensembles, unlike the larger concert band with a conductor, students learn to start together, choose their own tempos and figure out how to maintain those tempos.
"They are also responsible for dynamics, articulations, balance, phrasing and intonation, not to mention playing the right notes and rhythms. Not only is it one-on-a-part, but with so few parts, each person is a soloist."
Lydia Salett, a vocalist from Raleigh, will be in concert April 27. Angela Bingham will be at Jazz on John Street July 20, with her trio. WAHH World Fusion band will be in concert Sept. 28.
"Our goal with the Jazz on John Street series is to present a wide variety of jazz music," said Wendy Walker, Arts Council director. "We have selected artists from around the region who bring interesting and diverse talents to our stage."
Jazz on John Street is free and open to the public.
In addition to music, there will also be art exhibits and light refreshment. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
For more information, call the Arts Council at 919-736-3300.