Guest saxophonist Frahm to play at Jazz Lab Ethen Herrington TNE writer

Ethen Herringtion/TNE The NSU Jazz ensemble practices for the Jazz festival weekend. The festival will span two days, and include over 20 high school jazz bands. The Jazz Lab is preparing for a festival that will span two days and include more than 20 high school jazz bands. The event will begin March 2 at the NSU Jazz Lab. The first event will feature guest saxophonist Joel Frahm and will begin at 8 p.m. The second event will feature multiple jazz musicians, along with Frahm and will be open to the public. "It's just a jam session, so we just show up, people call out a tune, and we just play," said Tommy Poole, director of jazz studies. The Sunday night event will be $5 general admission and will run until 9:30 p.m. The program then continues on Monday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This date marks the the 47th Annual Green Country Jazz Festival Concert. Approximately 20 high schools will be on the Tahlequah campus that day to partake in the event. These schools will take part in a competition event that will be judged in two different viewing areas on campus. The UC Ballroom and the Center for Performing Arts will be open to NSU student, to come watch the performances throughout the day. "Each room has two judges in it, and they will be making comments for the bands," said Poole. "So the bands kind of get critiqued, and get pointers to get better."

The bands will be categorized for awards based on the size of their schools. The best performing schools will receive trophies at the end of the day. "I played the drums in high school, and I think this is a great opportunity for these kids to get some great advice and learn a lot," said Geoff Wilson, Tulsa junior. There will also be a trophy for the best band in each room, regardless of the size of the school. Generally, more schools would be in attendance for the competition, but some schools were unable to attend this year due to policies about snow days. "Anyone coming to the festival will get the opportunity to see many high school jazz programs represent their schools," said Joe Barger, NSU jazz ensemble saxophonist. "The festival will be a day filled with great music and learning." In the middle of the festival there will be a master class that will be taught by the guest artist Frahm in the Center for Performing Arts. The master class will feature a short performance by Frahm followed by a lecture and opportunity for questions by the students. The master class will take place in the center for performing arts. "All of this is made possible through the generous funding of the Oklahoma Art Council," said Poole. After the festival competition ends, the students will head to the evening concert, which will feature Joel Frahm and the NSU Jazz Ensemble. The Monday night concert is $6 for students with ID and $12 for general admission. It will begin at 7 p.m., and will include the announcement of concert winners during intermission. For more information call the Jazz Lab at 918-444-4602 Published 2-21-14 Photo cutline: NSU Jazz ensemble practices for the Jazz festival weekend.