UAF Jazz Band to host Valentine’s Day event

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7778
02/02/07

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Jazz Band will host "Live from the Wood Center Ballroom,"? a romantic evening of music and swing dancing on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007 in the Carol Brown Ballroom.

The event will feature live performances by the UAF Jazz Band, directed by Karen Gustafson, an assistant professor of trumpet at UAF. Featured guest performers will include Bobby Lewis, a New York gospel singer who is a regular guest artist at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, lyric-soprano Jaunelle Celaire, an assistant professor of voice, and James Bicigo, an associate professor of trombone and low brass. Selections will include love songs of the big-band era, including the works of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Count Basie.

The event will run from 8-10:30 p.m. in the Wood Center Carol Brown Ballroom. Polar Perk and Pizza Piazza in the Wood Center will be open and offering special Valentine’s Day treats for purchase. Dress for the event is evening casual.

The event is a fundraiser for the jazz band and will go to support their efforts to give concerts in communities throughout Alaska. Tickets are $10 or two for $15 and are available through the UAF music department office in room 201 of the Fine Arts Building or at the door.

CONTACT: Karen Gustafson, assistant professor of trumpet, at (907) 474-5004 or via e-mail at ffkg@uaf.edu.

Editor’s note: Photos are available upon request.