Be-Bop Spartans jazz band to perform at West Shore

VICTORY TWP. — Music will be swinging into West Shore Community College on Sat., March 16, when Michigan State University’s Jazz One -“The Be-Bop Spartans” bring their special jazz styling to the Center Stage Theater as a part of the 2012-2013 Performing Arts Series. The concert gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

The Be-Bop Spartans are some of the most talented jazz students in MSU’s College of Music. The 19-piece jazz orchestra is a young, swinging college band playing the repertoire of the great jazz masters, including soul, swing, blues, and gospel. The group’s instrumentation includes saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass, drums, piano, guitar, and vocalists.

The band is conducted by MSU Professor of Jazz Rodney Whitaker who is one of the leading performers and teachers of jazz double bass in the United States. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and received national recognition performing with the Terence Blanchard Quintet. Whitaker has also toured internationally as a featured performer with the Roy Hargrove Quintet.

The West Shore Community College Jazz Band, comprised of students and some of the area’s best jazz musicians, will warm up the audience prior to “The Be-Bop Spartans” taking the stage. The Jazz Band, led by Malt, will perform several traditional, contemporary, and swing jazz arrangements.

For tickets, call the WSCC box office at 843-5507.