The Hope College Jazz Combo and Ensemble will perform on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The combo is "The Mainstream Ensemble" and consists of Larry Figueroa (piano), a freshman from Holland; Jeffrey Hatcher (bass), a junior from West Dundee, Ill.; and Ben Oegema (drums), a junior from Lawton. Among the works the three musicians are performing is "Buru Island Blues," written by Hope College faculty member Robert Hodson, who also directs the combo.
The Hope College Jazz Ensemble is a full big band directed by Paul Wesselink, filling in for Brian Coyle who is on sabbatical. The ensemble includes five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, and a full rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, guitar). The group's program will include "Us," by Thad Jones; "Haitian Fight Song," by Charles Mingus; "Groove Merchant," also by Thad Jones; and "Straight, No Chaser," by Thelonius Monk.
Wesselink, studying under Brian Coyle, graduated from Hope College in 2004 with a degree in jazz performance. Currently he is an audio engineer for Grooters Productions in Holland and is the principal trombonist in the Holland Symphony. He also plays in various jazz combos in West Michigan.
Dimnent Memorial Chapel is located at 277 College Ave., on College Avenue at 12th Street.