West Point - The
United States Military Academy Band's Jazz Knights, under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Morse, will present a concert entitled "Originals and Commissions" on Sunday, July 13 at 7:30 pm, at the scenic Trophy Point Amphitheatre.
In recent years, the Jazz Knights have built a catalogue of new works written specifically for the band by some of the world's foremost jazz composers and a number of emerging composers from within the Jazz Knights.
Staff Sgt. Mike Reifenberg's Samba for Megan highlights the Latin side of jazz and his The Basilisk applies a fresh approach to the traditional 12-bar blues format. Alone Together, arranged by Sgt. 1st Class Scott Arcangel, brings a modern sensibility to the old Dietz/Schwartz standard with unexpected rhythmic twists and turns. Staff Sgt. Mark Tonelli arranges a contemporary piece, bassist Steve Swallow's well-known Falling Grace. Landing in the hard bop tradition is Standard Procedure, written by Jazz Knights saxophonist Staff Sgt. Derrick James and arranged by guitarist Russ Spiegel.
The performance will feature the world premiere of Jumble, an extended work commissioned by the Jazz Knights from renowned New York City pianist and composer Mike Holober. As its title implies, Jumble tosses together a distinct mix of styles from jazz to rock. As always, members of the Jazz Knights will be featured as soloists throughout the concert.
Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at
West Point, call the Academy Band's hotline at
845-938-2617, or check
www.westpoint.edu/special before leaving for the concert.
