Audience members can get familiar with the genre in advance of the University of Idaho’s annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival thanks to an interactive performance Feb. 22 by a faculty quintet.
“How to Listen to Jazz,” meant to prepare audiences for the festival that runs Feb. 24-26, is set for 12:30 p.m. in the Haddock Performance Hall of UI’s music building, at the corner of Blake and Sweet avenues.
The session will put the audience on stage to observe and listen to the improvisation process at the heart of jazz, according to a news release. Members of the Palouse Jazz Project will explain their roles in laying down a beat, providing accompaniment and offering a personalized interpretation of the rhythms, chords and melodic line.
The group, established in 2006, performs around the Northwest, specializing in standard jazz repertoire and original compositions. The ensemble consists of Vern Sielert, trumpet; Vanessa Sielert, saxophone; Josh Skinner, bass; Kate Skinner, piano; Daniel Pinilla, guitar; and Dan Bukvich, drums.
The free event is part of the Renfrew Colloquium, a weekly series of presentations by UI faculty, graduate students and visiting scholars.
