Mackenzie Thomas
Staff Writer
On Monday, the University of Wyoming’s Jazz Studies Program will present their concert “Rhythm is King”.
“Rhythm is King” will feature the UW Jazz Ensemble II alongside the UW Percussion Ensemble with Director Andy Wheelock. Jazz Combo I with Director Ryan Fourt and Jazz Combo II with Director Ben Markley will also be featured during the concert.
“The theme of the concert is rhythm. Director Andy Wheelock picked pieces that have lots of rhythm to them,” said Markley.
The goal of the concert, he said, is to feature a wide range of music that involves a rhythmic flow.
Rhythm holds a musical importance because it keeps the song moving and flowing. The rhythm of a song can also make a song feel a certain way to the audience; a song can feel faster or slower because of its rhythm.
Alongside the focus on rhythm, the concert will also feature a diverse range of music. The pieces picked for the performance were considered for both their rhythm and for what lessons the chosen pieces could teach the performers.
“It is our job as educators to expose students to as much as we can so they can go out and pursue music in an informed way,” Markley said.
The music for the concert was selected based on the educational topics the members of the Jazz Combos are studying. Part of Jazz Combo II’s pieces will focus on specific composers they have studied recently. The pieces picked for the performance are meant to educate both the audience members and the performers.
The concert will feature pieces from the American Songbook, Count Basie and Afro Cuban music. Markley said Jazz Combo II will feature Latin music with rhythm flow in order to tie in their pieces to the overall theme.
“In this concert, there will be a lot of learning about different music styles,” said Markley.
He said the audience could both learn about and experience multiple styles of music throughout the Rhythm is King performance.
“I’d love to see a lot of University of Wyoming students, faculty members and the Laramie Community.”
Though everyone of all ages is welcome to attend, Markley said he would like to see a supportive turnout from university students and staff members.
The “Rhythm is King” concert, performed in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts, is from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Mon. The performance is free for all ages, and members of the general public are encouraged and welcome to attend.
