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91̽»¨’s (LU) Cardinal Jazz Orchestra will celebrate the music of the swing era with its second annual Jazz Swing Concert on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre. The performance is free and open to the public.

The program will explore American big band music from the 1920s through the 1940s, pairing familiar selections from some of jazz’s best-known bandleaders with lesser-known works from the era.

“We’ll play familiar hits from the Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey big band libraries, as well as hidden gems from lesser-known swing era composers,” Dr. Logan Banister, assistant professor of saxophone and jazz band director said.

This year’s concert will also highlight the music of trumpeter and bandleader Harry James, who grew up in Beaumont before becoming a prominent figure of the swing era.

The orchestra will perform James’ “Concerto for Trumpet” in an arrangement for an 18-piece big band created by Ethan Williamson, a second-year master’s student in trumpet performance at LU. Williamson will also perform the featured trumpet solo.

The concert will bring students together with guest artists from LU’s Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music. Faculty performers include Tim Dueppen on trombone, Brielle Frost on flute, Jenny Iles on clarinet, Reese Maultsby on percussion, Michael McAndrew on piano, Eric McCluskey on voice, and Kyle McLean on trumpet.

For Banister, the concert offers more than an opportunity to revisit an important period in jazz history. The demanding repertoire also gives students experience preparing music on a timeline similar to what they may encounter as professional musicians.

“The repertoire is delightful and central to the story of jazz music in the 20th century, and it rarely gets played by university big bands,” Banister said. “It requires us to learn a bunch of music very quickly and provides our students with a taste of real-world expectations for preparation.”

The performance also gives students the opportunity to work alongside faculty musicians.

“It also gives us a chance to collaborate with and highlight the wonderful artists on our faculty in the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music,” Banister said.

The concert will blend swing-era favorites with a bit of Beaumont history, while giving LU students and faculty a chance to share the stage.