EIU Media Relations

EIU Jazz Ensemble to Perform Wide Variety of Jazz in Nov. 20 Concert

The Eastern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble will present a wide variety of jazz in its Nov. 20 concert, which will feature many excellent student soloists, as well as faculty jazz pianist Paul Johnston. The concert is to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Doudna Fine Arts Center's Dvorak Concert Hall.

Among the selections are fresh arrangements of well-known standards, including “April in Paris” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” a masterful medley arrangement of “Come Saturday Morning” and “Theme from Daphnis and Chloe,” and many other traditional and contemporary pieces for big band.

 The EIU Jazz Ensemble is directed by Sam Fagaly. The group has received numerous awards, including Outstanding Ensemble and Solo Performance citations at the Notre Dame and Elmhurst College jazz festivals, as well as Downbeat magazine's prestigious "DB" award.

The band released its first CD, "Eastern Time Zone," in 1994. Its latest recording, "In The Pocket," is currently available. The group has been featured at many conferences and festivals, including the Illinois Music Educators Association conference and the International Association for Jazz Educators convention.

Each year, the EIU Jazz Ensemble performs with special guest artists, which have included legendary figures such as Mel Torme, Dizzy Gillespie, Diane Schuur and Joe Williams.
Admission will be $12 for the general public, $10 for senior citizens and EIU employees, and $5 for students. Advance tickets are available in the Doudna Fine Arts Center box office (217-581-3110) from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or one hour before each performance. Tickets may also be reserved via email at doudnatix@eiu.edu.

This program is presented by the EIU music department in cooperation with the Doudna Fine Arts Center, divisions of EIU's College of Arts and Humanities. The Doudna is located one block west of Ninth Street at Garfield Avenue in Charleston.

Doudna Fine Arts Center public arts programs are funded by the New and Emerging Artists Series Endowment, by the Excellence in Fine Arts Fund, and by the EIU departments and other patrons as listed. For more information, visit the website at http://www.eiu.edu/doudna.