Santa Fe College Celebrates Jazz Heritage with Nov. 15 Concert
October 30, 2024
Santa Fe College's annual "Evening of Jazz" will return Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall, 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville. Showcasing the talent of the SF Jazz Combo and SF Jazz Ensemble, the concert will feature students performing beloved jazz classics, blending historic and contemporary sounds across two vibrant sets.
Tickets are $16 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military service members and children 12 and under; and free for SF students, faculty, and staff with SFID cards. Tickets are available from the Fine Arts Hall box office at 352-395-4181 or online from Showpass at showpass.com/evening-of-jazz.
The SF Jazz Combo, featuring eight students, will delve into jazz standards from some of the genre's greatest legends. The setlist includes "St. Thomas" by Sonny Rollins and "So What" by Miles Davis, along with a vocal performance of "Embraceable You."
The SF Jazz Ensemble, made up of 14 students, will perform pieces that explore the depth and diversity of jazz. Highlights include "Sunday Morning Shuffle," a piece inspired by gospel and blues influences, and "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," originally composed in 1928 but reimagined in a fresh, modern jazz style.
Dr. David Smith, Santa Fe College's Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music, shared his insights on the cultural significance of jazz. He explained, "Jazz, a style of music that was created by African American musicians, is considered America's only original art form that involves a rich blend of European and African American influences. Jazz has helped to unite African and white Americans together in the same dance halls and on the same bandstand in the midst of segregation in American during the Swing Era."
"An Evening of Jazz" is an opportunity to witness SF students' dedication to preserving this tradition and share in an experience that celebrates the power of jazz to bridge cultures.
The concert is sponsored and organized by the Santa Fe College Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology Department.
