Una To Host Big Band Blowout On Campus Feb. 12

Jan. 26, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@39680a.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama Department of Music and Theatre will host its Big Band Blowout Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. in Norton Auditorium. Hosted by the UNA Studio Jazz Band, the fourth annual performance will also feature the Shoals Area Big Band and UNA Percussion Ensemble. Dr. Lloyd Jones, director of UNA bands, said the Big Band Blowout will consist of swinging favorites and love songs of the Swing Era, including the music of Duke Ellington, Les Brown, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Don Ellis, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra and more. "It's great to play this wonderful music—America's music," said Rob Stout, trumpeter with the Shoals Area Big Band and former lead trumpet player with the UNA Studio Jazz Band. "I love seeing the happiness in the crowd when we perform, and I enjoy seeing a younger generation discover the swing idiom. It gets in your blood and you just enjoy it like nothing else. An extra bonus is that the proceeds will benefit the band students at UNA. I went to school at UNA on a band scholarship, and I know the funds are needed." Admission is $10 for the general public, $5 for students and free to all active and veteran military personnel. For more information, contact the UNA Department of Music and Theatre at 256-765-4375 or visit www.una/music-theatre.