LAMORINDA WEEKLY | SMC jazzes it up at first of three concerts | St. Mary's College | SMC Moraga


SMC Jazz Band Photo provided

Like jazz? The Lamorinda community is invited to attend the first in a series of three lively Saint Mary's College Jazz Band concerts, featuring "up-tempo numbers, dance tunes, and instrumental jazz soloists" under the direction of maestro John Maltester at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Soda Activity Center in Claeys Lounge.

"This first concert features the Campolindo High School Jazz Ensemble as the guest group, the SMC Jazz Combo, and the SMC Jazz Band," Maltester said. "The music ranges from traditional standards to contemporary jazz for big band including music from the Count Basie, Stan Kenton and other big band libraries." The concert is about 90 minutes in length and will feature several SMC scholarship recipients performing solos.

Tickets for the event are $5 general and $2 for students and seniors. An additional set of concerts is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 and at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, and will feature the SMC combo and big band performing a variety of standard jazz arrangements.

- J. Wake