Jazz Groups Push Music75 Over Half-Way Mark

Left to right: Blake Manternach, Asher Perkins, Jordan Strickland, Haley Bowman, and Professor Chris Teal
Photo Submitted

Left to right: Blake Manternach, Asher Perkins, Jordan Strickland, Haley Bowman, and Professor Chris Teal

The Jazz Area in the Department of Music at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences has been busy the last few weeks.

A large jazz ensemble went on tour in Mississippi and Louisiana, bringing home two prizes from the 2018 Alcorn State University Jazz Festival. Last week, two small combos visited a number of counties in Arkansas to share their music and reach out to parts of the state not typically visited by University of Arkansas students and faculty for recruitment. 

Professor Chris Teal took four students to four districts in Central Arkansas. Haley Bowman (bass), Jordan Strickland (piano), Asher Perkins (guitar), and Blake Manternach (trombone) performed for area schools including Booneville Junior High and High School in Logan County; Academics Plus Charter School in Pulaski County; Guy Perkins Elementary, Junior High and High School in Faulkner County; and Pangburn High School in White County. 

In addition to performing, the combo taught students the traditional New Orleans jazz standard "Liza Jane" by ear and had all students improvise with the group. The workshops highlighted the growing interest in jazz studies and improvisation at the University of Arkansas.

Teal said that, "the students played well and we all had a lot of fun talking with students, teachers and community members about jazz and the upcoming CMS jazz camps this summer."

Rick Salonen took another combo to southwestern Arkansas, visiting seven counties. Van Powell (bass), Florencia Zuloaga (piano), Felipe Antonio (guitar), and Don Mayall (drums) played in both schools and community settings. The group gave performances at De Queen High School in Sevier County; Prescott High School in Nevada County; Hope Elementary School in Hempstead County; Verona Restaurant in Miller County; Ashdown High School in Little River County; Polk County Public Library in Polk County; and Waldron High School in Scott County. The group played well and were invited back for future performances in the area.

In total, the two jazz groups gave 14 appearances in eight new counties in the Music75 Initiative.

The Department of Music continues to build new relationships and present great performances and workshops throughout the state. The county count is now at 38, which is just over the half-way mark in reaching the initiative's goal of brining music to all 75 Arkansas counties by 2020.

For more information about the project, visit fulbright.uark.edu/music75

Contacts

Justin R. Hunter, administrative specialist III
Department of Music
479-575-4702, jrhunte@uark.edu

Headlines

Food Scientists Show Rice Malt Has Potential to Play a Bigger Role in Beer

With Arkansas growing about half of the rice in the United States, and shortages of traditional raw materials such as barley, evaluating rice cultivars for use in malted brewing was one goal of U of A researchers.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Senior Design Projects Reviewed by Alumni

Students condensed their design work into senior design projects and presented them for department alumni and other industry professionals, gaining insights from peers and faculty members.

An Evening With NWA Soldier Songs and Voices: The Healing Power of Music

Members of the Northwest Arkansas chapter of Soldier Songs and Voices will share their experiences and perform music in the Pryor Center atrium at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

University Not Pursuing Full External Management of Custodial and Grounds Services

Following an evaluation process that provided the U of A with the opportunity to learn more about its current operations compared to the market, the university will maintain its current workforce.

NAHJ UARK: Free Churros and Sodas During J-Days Celebration

 The U of A chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists will offer churros and sodas on the north patio of Kimpel Hall from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday. Stop by and support your local journalist.

News Daily