The Brigham Young University School of Music will host the 24th annual Jazz Festival beginning Thursday (March 6) at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall with guest vocalist Kathy Kosins as well as featured BYU groups Q'd Up and Syncopation Vocal Jazz.
BYU's Synthesis will perform with guest saxophonist Ed Calle in the de Jong Concert Hall Friday and Saturday (March 7 and 8).
Tickets for the Jazz Festival performances can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office (801) 378-4322 or www.byu.edu/hfac. Tickets are $9 for the general public ($3 off with a BYU or student ID).
Jazz vocalist and composer Kathy Kosins is known for interpreting jazz standards and writing fresh, creative and bold music. She will perform with Q'd Up, BYU's faculty jazz ensemble featuring Steve Call on the piano, Ray Smith on the saxophone, Ron Brough and Jay Lawrence on percussion and Matt Larson on the bass.
Syncopation, BYU's premier vocal jazz ensemble with director Kristy Arnold, will also perform.
More than 20 high schools from the Intermountain West will meet on Saturday (March 8) at the Harris Fine Arts Center for workshops and clinics.
BYU's Synthesis will perform with guest saxophonist Ed Calle who has performed with such musical stars as Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Vanessa Williams and Frank Sinatra.
An 18-member big band, Synthesis' repertoire combines blues, rock, fusion, gospel and Latin styles for performances that feature swinging tunes and soloists.
Synthesis, under the direction of Ray Smith, has performed at prestigious jazz festivals throughout the world including the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Antibes Jazz Festival in France.
For more information, contact the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 378-4322.
Writer: Elizabeth B. Jensen
