Second annual Gospel Meets Jazz concert at UNT celebrates Black History

Thursday, February 13, 2014 - 15:58

What: Black History Month concert Gospel Meets Jazz, featuring College of Music faculty Brad Leali, saxophone; Jennifer Barnes and Rosana Eckert, vocals; Fred Hamilton, guitar; and José Aponte, percussion; along with the Texas Tech University Vision of Light Gospel Choir, directed by Darius Luckey, and Lubbock pastor Cory Powell, speaker.

When: 5 p.m. Feb. 23 (Sunday)

Where: Voertman Hall, Music Building, 415 Avenue C in Denton.

Cost: Free

DENTON, Texas (UNT) – College of Music jazz saxophone professor Brad Leali brings back his popular Black History Month concert, Gospel Meets Jazz, for a second year at the University of North Texas. Last year's performance in Voertman Hall was "standing room only."

This year, in addition to Leali, several College of Music faculty members will perform, including Jennifer Barnes and Rosana Eckert, vocals; Fred Hamilton, guitar; and José Aponte, percussion. They will be joined by the Texas Tech University Vision of Light Gospel Choir, directed by Darius Luckey, and Lubbock pastor Cory Powell, speaker.

"I am very happy to celebrate Black History Month at UNT once again," said Leali. "I was humbled by the enthusiasm for last year's concert, and it inspired me to create another unique program. Not only are we being joined by an incredible gospel choir from Lubbock, but with the addition of several of my colleagues, friends and students we will be featuring a funkier sound this year with a whole new selection of songs designed to bring out that 1970s sound. We will show how jazz, Latin, R&B and fusion all work with gospel music in expressing a message of togetherness, which celebrates the importance of black history."

The free concert starts at 5 p.m. Feb. 23 (Sunday) in Voertman Hall, Music Building, 415 Avenue C in Denton.

About the UNT College of Music

The UNT College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the country. More than 1,600 music students attend UNT each year, participating in more than 50 widely varied ensembles and pursuing specialized studies in performance, composition, music education or music scholarship. UNT faculty members and students have made appearances on the world's finest stages and have produced numerous recordings, many receiving Grammy awards and nominations. Distinguished UNT alumni can be found around the globe, in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities and schools.

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