Nathan Hanson©Andrea Canter

The Twin Cities Jazz Society’s Jazz From J to Z concert series continues on Sunday, March 4th, with a performance by Nathan Hanson’s Saxophone Choir at Roseville Area High School. The concert begins in the school auditorium at 7 pm with an opening set from the RAHS Jazz Ensemble I.

Composer/performer Nathan Hanson has been described as “unexpectedly tasteful and dignified” by ImproJazz-France. Over his career, he has performed with such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Cecil Taylor, Mark Dresser, Carei Thomas and Douglas Ewart, as well as with current stars Chris Potter, Tony Malaby, Liberty Ellman, Elliot Humberto Kavee and Federico Ughi. A graduate of Newberry College and the University of South Carolina, Hanson worked on the East Coast for many years before returning to his hometown of Minneapolis. In the Twin Cities, he is best known as a member of the Fantastic Merlins, and performs frequently at the Black Dog and other venues. Nathan has served as curator or co-curator of several experimental music series, including the current Community Pool/Deep End series at the Black Dog.

Brian Roessler©Andrea Canter

Directed by Pat Moriarty (who also plays in the sax choir), the RAHS Jazz program is one of the finest in the metro area. Jazz Ensemble I took 2nd place at last year’s Eau Claire festival, and Moriarty notes, “we've improved since then. Drummer Ben Ophoven-Baldwin won the Exemplary Soloist Award at Eau Claire and is also this year’s All State jazz drummer.” RAHS is one of the schools selected by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education’s Jazz Artists in the Schools program, supporting intensive clinics to help prepare the band for participation in the LaCrosse and Eau Claire jazz festivals this winter and spring. With support from the TCJS Jane Donahue Jazz Education Fund, Nathan Hanson will conduct a clinic to further prepare the RAHS Jazz Ensemble I for the March 4th performance.

Pat Moriarty©Andrea Canter

From start to finish, this Jazz From J to Z concert will present an ambitious glimpse of the future of jazz, and the exciting sounds of veteran musicians discovering new music.

This concert, sponsored by TCJS, begins at 7 pm on Sunday, March 4th, in the RAHS auditorium. Roseville Area High School is located at 1240 County Road B2 West in Roseville, (651) 635-1660. Tickets (at the door only) will be $10/$8 seniors and TCJS members, $5 students with ID and free to any RAHS student with school ID.

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