MIDLAND Some of the most well-known jazz performers have come together to perform at different schools in the Permian Basin this week.
They’ll be putting together a free concert before dispersing.
Tonight, the West Texas Jazz Society will be hosting a free concert called “Jazz and Beyond,” beginning at 7 p.m. at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center in Midland.
Ten special guest musicians and singers will be joining West Texas Jazz Society President Eric Baker and his wife Emily Baker on stage for the performance.
The concert is one of a couple of performances that the West Texas Jazz Society has put on in the area this week.
On Wednesday, a special concert was held at Permian Auditorium as well as Thursday at Legacy High in Midland.
For a couple of years now, the West Texas Jazz Society has aimed to teach to students in the Permian Basin that some of their favorite rap or rock songs have roots in jazz music by inviting some of the top musicians in the country for a special performance.
Today’s concert will be similar to Wednesday and Thursday’s at Permian and Legacy, respectively. However, Eric Baker says there will be a few surprises as well.
“We’re going to make it as easy as possible for people to show up,” Eric said of tonight’s concert. “People can expect to hear all of these same songs plus we have a half-dozen, super secret songs that we’re going to present and make it a rich, fun night where they get to have a great experience with these artists. We might not recognize their face but we’ve heard them regularly on Spotify, or YouTube, so it’s exciting to get to have these musicians out here.”
Some of the pieces include “Remember Me” from Disney Pixar’s “Coco,” “As It Was,” “Be Alright” and “Made You Look.”
The list of guest musicians who performed this week include Andy Martin, Gary Meek, Dan Fornero, Steve Gregory, Jarrett Johnson, David Zarlenga, Ernest Tibbs, Wally Minko, Aaron Janik and Billy King.
Johnson is a Grammy Award nominated vocalist/arranger/songwriter.
“I’m super excited,” Johnson said. “Not only will we be doing a lot of music that people heard (on Wednesday) but there will be a few fun little editions to the repertoire that we have. It’s an opportunity to do this in a fun little space. It’s just going to be a lot of fun for us to perform again. This is a wonderful community that supports the arts so much. We’re grateful for that.”
Trombonist Martin is a world class jazz musician who has been featured as a leader or co-leader on twelve albums.
Trumpeter Fornero is a well-decorated and prolific player who has toured with acts such as Woody Herman, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond and Phil Collins, just to name a few.
Saxophonist Meek is a lifelong multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and recording artist with seven solo CDs and has appeared on over 200 records with artists including Green Day and Herb Alpert as well as Dave Weckl.
Guitarist Gregory has recorded music for numerous television shows and films.
As a drummer, Zarlenga has studied with highly-regarded percussion instructors Murray Spivack and Fred Gruber for several years.
Guitarist Tibbs has worked with Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and James Ingram as well as performed on The Tonight Show, the 2002 American Idol Finale and the Rosie O’Donnell Show.
Minko is a grammy-nominated composer, producer, conductor and keyboardist.
Trumpeter Janik has performed and recorded with Earth, Wind and Fire, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg and Lil Kim.
King has been a dynamic saxophonist and woodwind artist who has performed throughout the world and has also backed such musical pop stars as Johnny Mathis, Petula Clark and Faith Hill.
Eric Baker is the director of bands at Odessa College.
Emily Baker teaches music at Midland Classical Academy and directs the Voices of the Permian Basin youth choir.
“In addition to them coming and being such an enriching force, musically for us, it’s really great to work with these artists and get a peek behind the curtain because that makes people like me see what it’s like to be a professional musician and we can train our students and give them access to see and work with these professionals. To have them all here to put together this super band is really rewarding and enriching.”
West Texas Symphony Board Member and Music Coordinator at UTPB Dan Keast encourages people to attend tonight’s free concert.
“Bring your friends because it’s going to be a great opportunity and I was on the building committee,” Keast said.” I know the donors that helped fund that building (the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center) wanted the students to be a part of it. It’s a part of our mission to make these kind of events free and we want the public to come out and enjoy it.”
For more information about the West Texas Jazz Society, go to tinyurl.com/2cc8y3w5.
If you go
- What: Jazz and Beyond Concert.
- When: 7 p.m. tonight.
- Where: Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.
- Cost of admission: Free.
