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Jazz concert will feature guest trumpet player
February 20, 2006– Sylvia Bierschenk
Jazz trumpeter Mike Vax will perform as guest artist during the Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces jazz bands concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. The concert is a joint presentation of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music.
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces jazz bands in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. Professional trumpeter Mike Vax will be the featured guest artist.
The Swingin' Aces, directed by SFA assistant professor Deb Scott, will open the concert with pieces from the standard jazz repertoire. Works include Sammy Nestico's arrangement of "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Computer" by Bob Mintzer, "Coffee and Castanets" by Les Hooper, and Ian McDougall's arrangement of "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues" by Moe Koffman.
For the second half of the concert, Vax will perform with the Swingin' Axes under the direction of Gary Wurtz, SFA assistant professor. Works to be performed include "Song for Eddie," an original composition by Darrell Holt; and Holt?s arrangement of "It Might as Well Be Spring." Vax and the Axes will also perform "Rhythm of the Masses" by Frank Mantooth and "Granada's Blues" by Vax.
Vax has played lead and solo trumpet with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Clark Terry Big Bad Band and the U.S. Navy Show Band.
He has appeared as guest lead trumpet and soloist with symphony pops orchestras around the United States as well as the All-American Collegiate Orchestra at Disneyworld. He has toured extensively in all 50 states, Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, South America and Japan.
As a recording musician, he has performed on more than 75 albums, including 20 under his own name.
Currently, he is leading his own groups: The Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra, The Mike Vax Big Band (featuring alumni of the Stan Kenton Orchestra), TRPTS (Trumpets) and the Mix Vax Quintette and Sextette.
Over the past 35 years, Vax has conducted workshops and concerts in over 2,000 elementary and junior high schools, colleges and universities all around the world. While on the SFA campus, Vax will present a jazz clinic for the members of Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces.
Tickets for the concert are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.