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Evangel University Jazz Collective and Jazz Trio to perform with saxophonist Wesley Smith on April 9

Published on Apr 3, 2013 by Paul K. Logsdon

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel University Jazz combos, directed by Joel Griffin, will perform in concert Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Barnett Fine Arts Recital Hall.

The program will feature special guest Branson performer Wesley Smith on saxophone.

“This will be a great evening of jazz music,” Griffin said. “We are happy to have Wesley Smith as our guest. He is an accomplished and sought-after jazz musician.”

There is no charge for admission, and the public is invited to attend.

The EU Jazz combos will perform classics like Fly Me to the Moon, Autumn Leaves, Summertime and more.

 About Wesley Smith:

Wesley Smith is a native of Joplin, Mo., and a graduate of Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) with a B.A. in music performance.  While at MSSU, he toured and recorded several albums as a member of the Southern Jazz Orchestra.

Upon graduation, Smith attended Missouri State University (MSU), where he obtained an M.M. in music performance.  He has studied with Dr. Charles Thelen, Dr. Philip C. Wise, Randy Hamm, Bobby Watson and Wes Anderson.

In demand as a performer and educator, Smith held the position of music department chair at Messenger College in Joplin, Mo.  As a performer, he has shared the stage with artists such as Shoji Tabuchi, Debbie Boone, Dwight Davis, Archie Wheeler and Bill Reeder as well as Grammy Award winners Billy Hunt and the Manhattan Transfer.

Smith currently resides in Branson, Mo., where he works as a freelance musician.  He can currently be seen performing on the Branson Belle, where he has been the woodwind player for four years.

He has many performing credits to his name, including the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, performing for President George Bush, The Lawrence Welk Show and Carnival Cruise Lines.

Evangel University is a private, Christian university of arts, sciences and professions. With an enrollment of more than 2,000 students from all 50 states and abroad, Evangel offers more than 100 undergraduate academic programs and nine master’s programs.