What: The 75th anniversary of North Texas jazz at the University of North Texas
When: Thursday, Oct. 20, through Saturday, Oct. 22. Full schedule online.
Where: Music Building, 415 Avenue C., Denton, Texas and Willis Library, 1506 W. Highland St., Denton, Texas; Winspear Hall, Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. Interstate 35, Denton, Texas
Media wanting to attend should contact Trista Moxley at Trista.Moxley@unt.edu or 940-369-7912.
Background:
In 1946, UNT’s first laboratory band was formed to try out music from a dance band arranging class. Later named jazz studies, it was the first degree of its kind in the United States, and the program soon made a name for itself worldwide — particularly with its One O'Clock Lab Band, which has earned seven Grammy nominations and toured internationally.
As part of the celebration, alumni from decades past will return to rehearse and perform together in alumni lab bands, vocal jazz ensembles and jazz combos. UNT Jazz Singers and One O’Clock Lab Band also will perform on the evening concerts.
“University of North Texas Jazz Studies celebrates the 75th anniversary with an alumni reunion featuring a series of concerts that emphasize the historical prominence of the first collegiate jazz degree program,” said Craig Marshall, Lab Band Manager and reunion event producer.
Recommended events for media to attend are:
- Music Library UNT Jazz 75th Anniversary Exhibit, noon-4 p.m. Thursday & Friday
- Alumni lab band rehearsals, 1-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Evening concerts, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Tickets for Friday and Saturday go on sale to general public starting Friday, October 14.
Later in the month, the College of Music, the President’s Lecture series and the Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series will welcome Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.