Angelina College is hosting a jazz concert/high school/middle school jazz festival March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Hudgins Hall. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and children. The AC Big Band and the AC Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo will perform along with special guest artist Gene Dooley.
Gene Dooley earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1996. After five years of band directing and freelance performance, Dooley won a position with the US Air Force bands. His assignments include the Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Force Base, California; the Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; the US Air Forces in Europe Band, Sembach Air Force Base, Germany.
Since leaving active duty, Dooley has performed with many local and national groups including The O’Jays, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Pecos River Brass, Crosswinds Big Band, Frisco Jazz Band, Vicho Vicencio, Hunter Sullivan Big Band, Rebel Alliance Jazz Ensemble, and the Alan Glasscock Big Band to name a few. He has also performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has performed with Steve Smith, the drummer for the band Journey; Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels, jazz trombonist Jiggs Wiggum, and trumpeter Jon Faddis.
The program for the AC Big Band includes “In the Mood,” “Boplicity,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Georgia,” “Autumn Leaves.”
Big Band performers are Dixon Shanks, tenor saxophone; Amanda Burns, tenor saxophone; Jimmy Simmons, alto saxophone; Michael Parrish, alto saxophone; Bethe Girardi, baritone saxophone; Ken Barnes, trombone; Robert Shanks, trombone; Melvin Eckman, trombone; Eduardo Rocha, trumpet; Scott Williams, trumpet; Mel Miller, trumpet; Ricky Gay, trumpet; Dawson Dowdy, pioano; JD Salas, bass; Mark Saldana, drum set; AC music instructor Larry Greer, guitar; and AC music instructor Jimmy Battle, bass.
The Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo program, under the direction of Larry Greer, includes “Stolen Moments,” “Satin Doll,” “Song for my Father,” “Mood Indigo” and “Chameleon.”
Members of the combo are Morgan Roberson of Groveton on trumpet, Andrea Leaman of Crockett on trumpet, Trevor Curtis of Hudson on tenor saxophone, Christian Turbeville of Hudson on alto saxophone, Daniel Kiesel of Lufkin on trombone, Garrett Newman of Hudson on guitar, Qurdale Huff of Clarksville on bass, David Evett of San Augustine on drum set, and Tyler Dover of Livingston on drum set. Larry Greer is the director.
For more information about this event call 936-633-5454.
