(Posted: March 16, 2004)
UA Fort Smith Jazz Band Director Don Bailey says the April 2 and 3 concert will have an entirely different flavor from previous concerts.
“We’re excited to have Oreo Blue with us,” Bailey said. “Blues is the cornerstone of jazz, and Oreo Blue is a kickin’ blues band. They know how to get a crowd on its feet.”
He said this concert should be “one hip musical collaboration.”
“Joining forces with a blues band, jazzing up a Sousa march, swinging a well-known classical hit, and adding a unique ‘surprise guest’ has really taken this show out of the box,” Bailey said. “It should be lots of fun.”
The concert, part of Season of Entertainment 23 at the university, will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Breedlove Auditorium on the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith campus. Admission is by Season 23 ticket, or individual tickets are $7 from the UA Fort Smith Box Office, 788-7300.
“Both shows drew record-breaking crowds last fall,” Bailey said, “with standing room only, so you need to get your tickets now before they sell out.”
Oreo Blue, a high-energy blues band based out of Fayetteville, includes Gary Hutchison, guitars and vocals; Rod Williamson, Fender bass; Brian Crowne, sax, guitar and vocals; and Stephen Boudreaux, Mapex drums and vocals.
Hutchison, who is well-known to attendees at UA Fort Smith Jazz Band concerts, has played with a number of acclaimed bands. Williamson is the foundation of the rhythm section and has been with Oreo Blue since its inception in 1991. Crowne, also a founding member of the group, had previously spent eight years working all over the country with many artists. Boudreaux has traveled with a number of known rock bands and blues bands.
The UA Fort Smith Jazz Band will be performing the music of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Miles Davis, Count Basie and John Philip Sousa.
“We’ll be highlighting such hits as ‘In the Mood,’ ‘Malaguena,’ ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’ ‘One O’Clock Jump’ and more,” Bailey said. “And, of course, we’ll have a few surprises to round out the show.”
Jazz Band members are:
Fort Smith: Robert Childers, Joshua Clemmer, Robert Dodd, Christopher Jones, Douglas McRae, Jeff Millican, Phillip Moore, Jennifer Nichols and Brandon Patterson.
Greenwood: Joshua Jordan and Benjamin McCartney.
Mansfield: Kristina Eckelhoff.
Muldrow: Evan Mino.
Van Buren: Josh Hice, Bryan Holmes, Amanda Treece, Christopher Treece and Edward Watts.
UA Fort Smith students enrolled in six or more credit hours can obtain a free ticket at the Box Office. For more information, call 788-7300.