ASU Jazz Band Performs at Blowing Rock Jazz Society’s Monthly Concert Sunday

Story by David Brewer

Saxophonist and Director of ASU Jazz Studies Todd Wright will lead ASU’s Jazz Ensemble I this Sunday, February 8, when the group performs its annual concert at the Meadowbrook Inn for the Blowing Rock Jazz Society’s monthly concert.

For High Country jazz lovers, February is perhaps the best four weeks of the year. With an array of performances taking place throughout the area, bands will be packing plenty of swing into the year’s shortest month.

This Sunday, February 8, will be no exception as saxophonist Todd Wright, the director of Jazz Studies at ASU, will lead the school’s Jazz Ensemble I in its annual performance for the Blowing Rock Jazz Society’s monthly concert at Blowing Rock’s Meadowbrook Inn. The show will start at 7:00 p.m. The cover charge is $15 for nonmembers and $5 for students.

According to Wright, the 18 students who make up Jazz Ensemble I will reach deep into the songbook and perform tunes representing a variety of styles and eras ranging from standards, swing and blues to more contemporary pieces.

“It’s always good for the students to perform in the live setting,” said Wright. “They have to make it work on the spur of the moment. Working in front of a live audience really shapes their skills.”

In addition to the large ensemble’s performance, Wright will lead a pair of smaller combos through some brisk numbers that test the players’ skills.

Sunday’s show at the Meadowbrook Inn is just one of many opportunities to catch Wright performing this month. On Friday, February 6, Wright will perform with his trio at Pepper’s Restaurant in Boone. On Friday, February 13, the Todd Wright Quartet will perform its annual Valentine’s concert at Rosen Concert Hall at ASU. Joining the band for the special show will be guest vocalist Michelle Amato.

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