LU Orchestra to welcome guest artist Jimmy Simmons

Lamar University’s Cardinal Jazz Orchestra with special guest artist Jimmy Simmons, LU president emeritus, will open for the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra at the Jefferson Theater on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. The band is composed of musicians who played with influential American orchestra leader and composer Stan Kenton (1911-1971) and other jazz greats such as Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and Count Basie.

“It is a great honor and a tremendous opportunity for the Cardinal Jazz Orchestra to be invited to perform at this concert,” said Rick Condit, director of the Cardinal Jazz Orchestra. “I was a member of Kenton's touring band in 1973-74, and he has had a significant influence on the growth of jazz education by helping to found national jazz advocacy organizations, performing at high schools and colleges and hosting several summer jazz camps. This is a terrific legacy for LU students to be involved in and learn about.”

The Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra tours the United States every year and performs well known music from Kenton’s era as well as new material in the Kenton style, including original compositions by members of the band.

Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 for students, and are available at the door and through Ticketmaster.

For more information about the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, visit bigbandjazz.net. To learn more about the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music, call (409) 880-8144 or visit lamar.edu/music.