Music of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Featured in Casper College’s “Jazz Night”

The Casper College Jazz Ensemble and the Casper College Contemporary Singers will present “Jazz Night” on Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Wheeler Concert Hall.

The night will feature the music of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. In 1966, Jones, an American jazz trumpet and cornet player, and Lewis, an American jazz drummer, formed the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Considered a jazz big band the orchestra received 17 Grammy nominations and two Grammy wins: one in 1979 for the album “Live in Munich,” and another in 2008 for “Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard,” both for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Big Band category.

The jazz ensemble is under the direction of Joshua R. Mietz, D.M.A., music instructor, and the contemporary singers are under the direction of Zachery Vreeman, D.M.A., choral instructor.

“Jazz Night” is free and open to the public. The Wheeler Concert Hall is located in the Music Building on the Casper College campus. For more information contact the music office at 307-268-2606.