“We are so thrilled to be playing for actual humans face-to-face,” said Wolfe, who also serves as the director of jazz studies in the School of Music. “Live music is such a communal, collaborative and shared experience for both the musician and audience. There is no other way to recreate this alchemy virtually. In our music, jazz, the improvisor is trying to make the listener feel or react a certain way, and she, in-turn, feeds off of the energy and enthusiasm of the audience. This can only be achieved through live performance.”
The band will highlight several compositions by influential and groundbreaking women in jazz, including Mary Lou Williams, Ellen Rowe and Maria Schneider. They will also present tunes from such jazz icons as Thad Jones, Wes Montgomery and Oliver Nelson.
“The music is our North Star. We want folks who hear us play to have a good time, move in your seat, and think about what you just heard all at the same time,” Wolfe said.
The concert is free and open to all. Masks are required for those who attend. This concert will be livestreamed on the School of Music YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKbpuRSLJ6eqJf7QekSiaZw
The concert is sponsored by the School of Music in the College of Arts and Media.