Local jazz lovers will have the opportunity to hear three live performances in upcoming weeks.
The first performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, in Corley Auditorium on the MSSU campus.
It will feature four University Jazz Combos performing a variety of jazz standards. Bailey Park, senior radiology major from Joplin, will sing several classic jazz numbers.
Next, the Southern Jazz Combos from MSSU will present “Pizza and Jazz” beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, April 28, at Gusano’s Pizza, 3929 E. Seventh Street in Joplin.
The performance will feature four student combos performing a variety of selections from the jazz idiom. Park will sing “My Funny Valentine,” “God Bless the Child,” “Blue Skies” and other great jazz standards.
For reservations, which are recommended, contact Gusano’s at 417-623-9090.
Finally, the Jazz Standards Concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, in Corley Auditorium. The concert will feature the talents of longtime community musicians Rebecca and Robert Ensor. Park also will perform again, accompanied by Jazz Combos members.
All three shows are free and open to the public. The Jazz Combos are under the direction of Dr. Phillip C. Wise, director of music education and jazz studies at Missouri Southern State University.