Cal Poly's University Jazz Bands to Present ‘Just Jazz’ Feb. 19

A vast range of today’s jazz music — parody, intimate combos and epic compositions — will be on display at the annual Just Jazz concert presented by Cal Poly’s University Jazz Bands at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center.

The concert will feature Cal Poly’s best student jazz musicians in two big bands and two jazz combos. Pieces to be performed include “Grass is Greener,” a wide-ranging, epic composition by Adam Bartzack that moves seamlessly from hip-hop to psychedelia; “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” a big band parody version of the original by rocker Alice Cooper; and “Rush,” from the Japanese anime cartoon “Cowboy Bebop."

“Jazz has always pushed the boundaries while also being firmly planted within them,” said Paul Rinzler, director of jazz studies at Cal Poly. “There is barely any musical style or any artistic goal that is beyond the reach of jazz today. And it is improvised, so there will be those moments when even the musicians do not know what is going to happen next. This creates some amazing music, made in the heat of the moment.”

Tickets are $12 and $14 for the public and $9 and $12 for students and Jazz Federation members. Pricing includes all Performing Arts Center fees, and event parking is sponsored by the PAC. Tickets are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To order by phone, call SLO-4TIX (756-4849).

A 10 percent discount is given to patrons who buy season tickets to four Music Department events through the Cal Poly Ticket Office; a 15 percent discount is given on tickets to five or more events.

The concert is sponsored by Cal Poly's College of Liberal Arts, Music Department, and Instructionally Related Activities program. For more information, call the Music Department at 805-756-2406.