Multiple Hope College jazz chamber ensembles will perform on Monday, Nov. 28, at 7:30
p.m. in Wichers Auditorium of Nykerk Hall of Music.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The concert will feature the Prestige Ensemble, the Vanguard Ensemble, the Verve Ensemble
and the Blue Note Ensemble.
* The Prestige Ensemble will begin the concert by performing "Route 66," by Bobby
Troupe; "There Will Never be Another You," by Harry Warren; "A Child is Born," by
Thad Jones; and "Little Sunflower," by Freddie Hubbard. The Prestige Ensemble is coached
by seniors Caleb Murray of Half Moon Bay, Calif., and Zach Pedigo of Chippewa Falls,
Wis. The Ensemble includes freshman Lisa McLellan of Fort Wayne, Ind., alto saxophone;
freshman Ashley Ritsema of Grand Rapids, alto saxophone; freshman Zach Zandbergen
of Grandville, piano; Zach Pedigo, bass; and freshman Jarred Mackey of Jackson, drums.
* The Vanguard Ensemble will next perform "Road Song," by Wes Montgomery; "Song for
Bilboa," by Pat Metheny; and "One by One," by Wayne Shorter. The Vanguard Ensemble
is coached by Mike VanLente, instructor of jazz percussion. The Vanguard Ensemble
includes junior Kin Fong of Northbrook, Ill., alto saxophone/piano; sophomore Christopher
Rodriguez of Kalamazoo, guitar; sophomore Christian Nikkel of Holland, guitar; sophomore
Forrest Dodson of Kalamazoo, bass; and sophomore Joshua Holicki of Coldwater, drums.
* The Verve Ensemble will then perform "Maiden Voyage," by Herbie Hancock; "Freddie
Freeloader," by Miles Davis; "Have You Met Miss Jones," by Rodgers/Hart; and "Take
the A Train," by Duke Ellington. The Verve Ensemble is coached by Tom Lockwood, instructor
of saxophone. The Verve Ensemble includes sophomore Nathan Axdorff of Grand Rapids,
alto saxophone; sophomore Guillermo Flores of Holland, alto saxophone; sophomore Christian
Nikkel of Holland, piano; freshman Nicholas Tuitel of Grand Rapids, bass; and senior
Jonathan Gabhart of Spencer, Iowa, drums.
* The Blue Note Ensemble will close the concert with "Sack O' Woe," by Cannonball
Adderley; "Come Condela," by Mongo Santamaria; "The Nearness of You," by Washington/Carmichael;
and "Sweet Georgia Brown," by Bernie/Pinkard/Casey. The Blue Note Ensemble is coached
by Steve Talaga, instructor of music, jazz piano and composition. The Blue Note Ensemble
includes freshman Matthew Milliken of Fenton, alto saxophone; freshman Andrew Valesano
of Sherwood, Ore., piano; sophomore Matt Costello of Holland, bass; and junior Wesley
Rieth of Three Oaks, drums.
The college's jazz chamber ensembles afford students the opportunity to perform in
the classic small-group combo setting, and are open to anyone, regardless of experience
with jazz. The ensembles vary in size and instrumentation, and place a creative focus
on improvisation and group communication. All of the ensembles perform works from
the classic jazz repertoire. The more advanced jazz chamber ensembles also perform
repertoire from the contemporary jazz world and emphasize original student and faculty
compositions.
Nykerk Hall of Music is located in the central Hope campus at the former 127 E. 12th
Street between College and Columbia avenues.