The Roanoke College Jazz and Wind Ensembles under the direction of Dr. Joseph Blaha will present its annual joint Spring Concert Thursday, April 19, in the Olin Hall Theater at 7:30 p.m. In a concert themed “From There to Here,” Dr. Anil Shende, Professor of Math/Computer Science/Physics will be the evening’s guest artist.

The Jazz Ensemble will be performing contemporary and traditional big band compositions and arrangements featured by the bands of Bob Mintzer, Jeff Jarvis, Louis Prima and Count Basie. Dumar Daniel will be singing Bobby Darren’s theme song, “Mack the Knife.” In a special guest appearance, Professor Shende, an accomplished tabla (Indian drums) player, will join the Jazz Ensemble performing in the John McLaughlin/Shakti composition, “Luki,” arranged for the big band by Dr. Blaha. Professor Shende will return for another solo appearance in the song that drummer Gene Krupa made famous, “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

Continuing the theme of “From There to Here,” the Wind Ensemble will perform works inspired by other times and other places. The tempestuous “Finale” from Dvoák’s Symphony No. 9, “from the New World” will evoke the trials of passage across the seas. The premiere of Dr. Blaha’s own, Goethe’s Erlking, will bring forth the clear-cut images of the supernatural in its portrayal of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s romantic poem made famous in a song by Schubert. Closing the concert, Middle Eastern, European and American elements will come together in a fiery climax in Alfred Reed’s El Camino Real.

The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

Submitted by Olin Hall, Roanoke College