This Christmas season promises a celebratory concert with BYU’s Jazz Ensemble
As sleigh bells start ringing and glittering lights line the streets, join the BYU Jazz Ensemble for a warm and welcoming celebration of the Christmas season on December 8.
This year’s concert, “Have a Merry Jazzy Christmas!” will feature seasonal favorites like Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite” as well as some unique pieces like “The Firebird Sweet,” an arrangement of several classical songs that ends with the finale from Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.”
“It’s going to be a really fun concert,” said Mark Ammons, Jazz Ensemble director. “We’re [performing] a lot of unique Christmas songs that we haven’t done. ”
In addition to these classic melodies, the concert will feature special guest Ray Smith, Synthesis director and jazz genius. Smith will be performing on a number of instruments, including the clarinet, bamboo flute, alto saxophone and soprano saxophone.
“[Smith] is just an extraordinary talent,” said Ammons.
Ammons added that he hopes the audience will not only enjoy the music, but also feel the light of Christ in the songs the group performs. “When people come to this concert, . . . [I hope] they will feel that light and recognize that there’s something that is uplifting, and that there’s a buoyancy to not only the music, but also the spirit of the music that they will feel,” said Ammons.
For an evening of uplifting Christmas music and melodies you’ll be humming all night long, join the BYU Jazz Ensemble on December 8.
For ticket information, visit arts.byu.edu.