With Mardi Gras now over, it’s easy for one to have jazz withdrawals. The LSU Jazz Showcase continues the sound with its once-a-semester concert at the Union Theatre tonight.
The concert will feature the talents of saxophonist and flutist Denis DiBlasio. DiBlasio will be playing with the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, as well as jazz chamber groups and the faculty jazz trio.
“This is a concert we do every semester to get all of the jazz groups on campus performing in a single concert,” said Brian Shaw, associate professor of trumpet and jazz studies. “It’s great because it gets everyone kicked into high gear early on in the semester.”
Students have worked since January to prepare for the concert. It serves as a way for musicians to learn discipline and how to remember copious amounts of music at once. Shaw said much of the music they prepare for the concert is specifically geared toward the guest artist.
All music the jazz ensemble will be playing was either written or arranged by DiBlasio.
“We’re putting on this concert as part of the student’s educational process,” Shaw said. “They learn new music and new techniques on their instruments and what’s really nice about the spring concert is they get to perform with a world class guest artist.”
DiBlasio’s impressive credentials include his role as a clinician for the Yamaha Musical Corporation as well as the jazz program director at Rowan University in New Jersey. He is also the executive director of The Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz.
With nine recordings of his own along with published texts, arrangements and compositions, his approach to teaching has made him incredibly popular.
Schools often have to book him three years in advance.
“The students, whether they’re in the showcase or in the audience, benefit from seeing their colleagues on stage doing great things,” Shaw said. “It inspires them to do their own things whether it’s within a different major across campus or another music major.”
The students will be fueled by post Mardi Gras excitement during the Jazz Showcase. Many have been working professionally over the Mardi Gras weekend, performing at parades and balls.
“Our alums are doing amazing things here in Baton Rouge and all over the country,” Shaw said. “It’s a terrific program and we’re excited to put on this concert.”
The showcase will be tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the LSU Union Theatre. Tickets are $20 for public admission, $15 for faculty, staff and seniors and $10 for LSU students with ID.