Brigham Young University's top jazz ensemble Synthesis will perform its "Tribute to the Great American Songwriters" Wednesday (Nov. 20) at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets at $9 for the general public with $3 off with BYU or student ID are available in the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or at www.byu.edu/hfac.
A full 18-member big band, Synthesis will honor great American songwriters such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington, performing such favorites as "Strike Up the Band," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Ol' Man River," "Summertime" and "Sing, Sang, Sung."
"Jazz is known for its spontaneous creativity, its energy," said Ray Smith, director of Synthesis and BYU professor of woodwinds. "People walk out of our concerts just feeling better."
Formed in 1973, the 18- to 20-member group holds rigorous annual auditions to choose its members from among BYU's finest musicians. Performers are students pursuing degrees in a variety of areas.
Synthesis has performed at jazz festivals throughout the world, including the North Sea Jazz Festival and France's Montreaux Jazz Festival and Antibes Jazz Festival.
Writer: Elizabeth B. Jensen
