The season for swing

COEUR d'ALENE - The public is invited to "Season of Swing" from the North Idaho College Jazz Ensemble and Cardinal Vocal Jazz at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

Cardinal Vocal Jazz will perform arrangements of classic jazz repertoire, including "Chicago," "Misty" and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby." The program will also include Brazilian composer Carlos Jobim's "Waters of March."

"Hang on to your seats, as the North Idaho College Jazz Ensemble will take you on a ride on the A Train - a ride that will surprise you," said NIC band director Terry Jones, adding that Bill Holman's arrangement for the old Tonight Show Band will give a fresh take on the Duke Ellington classic. After the train leaves the station, the band will shuffle its way down the track with "That's How We Roll" by Gordon Goodwin. No need to sit down for this one, it's a great toe tapper, Jones said.

"Just in time for the holiday season, the band will tickle your taste buds with Bob Curnow's 'Suite of Seasonings,'" Jones said.

The suite opens with "Paprika" an up-tempo tune that swings hard with some great soloing for different members of the band. The second movement of the suite is "Saffron." Just like the spice, this movement is full of subtle musical flavors woven into a rich musical texture. The third movement, "Cayenne," heats things up with its Latin rhythms and catchy riffs.

Under the direction of Max Mendez, NIC's Cardinal Vocal Jazz is made of about 11 versatile singers and a rhythm section. This group specializes in close harmony and vocal improvisation. Their repertoire includes music of the "Great American Songbook," Latin/Bossa Nova selections and inventive arrangements of today's popular music.

The NIC Jazz Ensemble is a collection of jazz from all over the area. Members get together once a week to explore the diversity in big band music. From the swing music of Ellington and Basie though the innovations of Kenton to the contemporary works of Metheny and Radiohead, nothing is off-limits for this group.

The concert is free and open to the public.