Luther College Jazz Orchestra to perform Fall Gala concert Nov. 18

The Luther College Jazz Orchestra will present its Fall Gala concert on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. in the Main Hall of the Luther College Center for Faith and Life.

The concert is open to the public with no charge for admission.

The Jazz Orchestra will perform a diverse repertoire of works from 1928 to recent jazz compositions and arrangements. The concert will highlight works by George Gerschwin, Duke Ellington, Thomas “Fats” Waller, Charles Mingus, Sammy Nestico, Frank Foster, Morgan Ames, Bob Washut, Gordon Goodwin and a modern treatment of J.S. Bach’s Invention in D-minor.

Nearly every member of the band has a solo during this performance. Following in the tradition of the Count Basie Orchestra, singer Julia Jenkins will perform “You Can Have It,” a bright and rhythmic swing. Featured harp soloist Jessica Hazelton will play a combo rendition of “I Got Rhythm.”

The Jazz Orchestra is under the direction of J. Tony Guzmán, Luther associate professor of music and education.

Guzmán holds the bachelor’s degree from Luther. He holds the doctoral degree, the master’s degree and an associate degree from Florida State University as well as a degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He frequently serves as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator.