Junior Sarah Mathews will be among the solists during the Spring Jazz Concert April 15.

The swinging sounds of jazz greats Basie and Ellington along with the iconic standards of the Great American Songbook will be featured at the annual Spring Jazz Concert at Missouri Western State University. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Potter Hall Theater. Tickets are available at the door for $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and those with a Missouri Western ID. Children 12 and under are free.

The evening will showcase the talented students in the Missouri Western jazz program working under the direction of acclaimed musicians and faculty members Kathleen Holeman, Steve Molloy and Bob Long. Featured groups will be the MWSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Holeman, the Jazz Lab Band, under the direction of Molloy, and the Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Long.

Freshman B. J. Meyer will be a solo vocalist.

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble will perform works ranging from classic jazz standards such as “Centerpiece” by Henry “Sweets” Edison to more contemporary pop/jazz vocals like “Where is the Love,” originally performed by Roberta Flack. Featured soloists will include freshman music major B. J. Meyer and junior music major Sarah Mathews.

The Jazz Lab Band will present works originally performed by the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, including “Look for the Silver Lining” composed by Sammy Nestico and a rendition of the Beatles’ “Michelle” recorded by the Basie Band. Featured soloists will include freshman music major Sean Sherlock on tenor sax and freshman music major Max Hudson on piano.

Freshman Sean Sherlock will solo on the tenor sax.

The Jazz Ensemble will feature a wide variety of jazz literature, ranging from classics like Basie’s “Tall Cotton” to contemporary arrangements of jazz standards like Mike Crotty’s arrangement of “Pensativa.” Featured soloists will include sophomore music major Ryan Lombard on guitar, junior music major Avery Doran on tenor sax and senior general studies major George Pepe on trombone.

For more information, call the Department of Music at 816-271-4420 or call Bob Long, director of jazz studies, at 816-271-4430.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.