MBU News
Jazz Series Hits MBU
October 11, 2007
By Ashleigh Stricker
Today’s jazz musicians are taking on a more traditional approach to their music by singing American standards such as The Way You Look Tonight or Come Fly with Me made famous by such players as Nat King Cole and Frank Sinantra.
This fall, MBU is host of the University’s first ever “jazz series.” Starting the series is St. Louis native and songstress Erin Bode. Bode is one of the musicians singing today’s American standards along with some original songs. She will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 in the Pillsbury Chapel on the MBU campus in St. Louis.
MBU’s Joy Powell, director of drama productions, and Pat Lacey, assistant professor of music, were the visionaries for this project from the beginning. Thinking about who would possibly begin the series with a bang, Powell suggested Bode. She had seen her in concert and after researching more on her, Powell and Lacey knew Bode was a great choice.
“And after reading more about her, she really is a special person. She’s a Lutheran minister’s daughter who started out in children’s choirs at the church. Also, she has gotten involved with helping the girls’ school in South Africa to help them raise money, so she has a heart for service as well,” said Lacey.
Powell and Lacey had no problem getting Bode and her management to perform at MBU. “They [musicians] love to perform whenever they can because their music is what they are and do,” said Lacey.
The entire community of St. Louis is invited to join MBU and their music students to enjoy an evening of jazz. “We need the public to help pay for the concert! We’ve tried to publicize as best we could outside the campus,” said Lacey. Their original idea was to include the public just as much as MBU music students.
Bode is sure to bring entertainment to students and the community and educate us on today’s jazz.
The series will continue in the spring with Jeanne Trevor, a legend to the jazz scene. “She brings the history of jazz to MBU,” said Lacey. The series will close with Club A and feature MBU’s very own Allusion.
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