45th Parallel Ensemble’s spring concert is June 2

45th Parallel Ensemble’s spring concert is June 2

Contact: Matt Cooper | Professor of Music | 541-962-3559 or mcooper@eou.edu

Photo by Laura Hancock / EOU students performing with 45th Parallel are Tayde McAndie on piano, Joey Lucius on drums, Stephen Peterson on trombone, Max Irons and Arthur Wohlleben on trumpet, Logan Greenwell on alto sax and Carlie Nutt on tenor sax. Luke McKern, assistant director, joins them on the electric bass.

LA GRANDE, Ore. –Eastern Oregon University’s 45th Parallel Ensemble is presenting its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 2 in McKenzie Theater in Loso Hall.

The 11-piece ensemble directed by Matt Cooper, professor of music, features a rhythm section, horns, and vocalists. Assisting the ensemble will be Luke McKern, performing on the electric bass. Their repertoire focuses on compositions by Sun Ra, Horace Silver, Mink DeVille, Nina Simone, Ralph Towner, John Scofield, and Freddie Hubbard.

“This concert features a budding singer/songwriter, a prizewinning fiddler, and a band of six horns and four rhythm players — almost the size of a ‘little big band,’” Cooper said. “Featured also are arrangements custom-crafted for the band by faculty composer John McKinnon, and a transcription of a delightful but rarely heard gem from the 1950s Sun Ra band.”

Cooper said standards like “In the Mood” and “All of Me,” will be sung by both male and female vocalists. He added that highly anticipated student solos on saxophone, brass, piano, guitar and percussion guarantee a variety of musical offerings. An original piece by EOU sophomore and vocalist Anita Harris will round out the program.

Admission is free with donations accepted to benefit EOU music scholarships. Doors open at 7 p.m. with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.