Mercer Jazz Ensemble plays Latin favorites

To all lovers of live music, the Mercer Jazz Ensemble is having a Latin Jazz concert on Friday, Nov. 10 in Fickling Hall at 7:30 p.m.

They will be performing styles such as Bossa Nova, a brazilian style which means “new trend” and is a fusion of samba and jazz, as well as Afro Cuban, an early jazz form that mixes latin jazz with improvisation techniques.

“Latin-style jazz is really upbeat and energetic and features some really neat lines, harmonies and rhythms that you don’t typically see in swing jazz,” said Kalman DeMott, freshman piano player.

DeMott will be performing for the first time with the ensemble.

Other Mercer students performing in the concert include: Banks Daniels (saxophone), Brayden Hutcheson (saxophone), Justin Staggers (saxophone), Zach Musser (saxophone), Brandon Mincey (saxophone), Matthew Ezeh (trombone), Kalman DeMott (piano) and Henry Jones (drums).

The concert will feature songs by Chick Corea, Phil Woods and Don Menza, as well as other Latin composers.

The Jazz Ensemble has performed three concerts on Mercer’s campus, the last show being in April. DeMott said she’s looking forward to the upcoming performance.

“[It] will be an interesting time for anyone who likes music,” DeMott said.

When asked about the inspiration behind this event, Director and Jazz Studies Professor Monty Cole said, “I had a dream with dinosaurs, space aliens, and the internal revenue service all set to Latin music. When it came time to plan a concert I thought ‘what the heck.’”

The Jazz Ensemble  has a variety of talented soloist and will be a great time for lovers of live music.

“Latin music is fun and exciting.  The Mercer musicians are amazing,” Monty said. “The seats in Fickling are extraordinarily comfortable and the setting is conducive to romance.”