An eclectic assembly of big-booming jazz compositions performed by various OU student music ensembles can be heard at 8 p.m. today in Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall.

Shain Baldwin, music education sophomore and instrumentalist in tonight's show, said the concert would include both the literature and experimental jazz bands and the chamber ensemble, including a variety of instruments and some vocalists.

"It's just an array of jazz," Baldwin said.

Jay Wilkinson, director of jazz studies, said the literature jazz band and experimental jazz band usually offer different styles of jazz performance, but tonight both bands will be putting on a more traditional show.

"We're doing more historically significant stuff," Wilkinson said.

Usually, the experimental jazz band works on more cutting-edge pieces. Wilkinson said the experimental band is currently working on more training and improvisational skills with more recent compositions during class, but tonight's performance will be solely performed from the charts. The type of jazz both bands will be performing tonight fits closely with a big band style, Wilkinson said. He said the bands typically do a lot of swing-style jazz as well.

The tunes being performed tonight fit with old standards like "Georgia on My Mind," Wilkinson said. It will bring in all the elements of a big, jazz band performance-climactic highs, gentle lows and wailing solos on the trumpet or saxophone.

Wilkinson said one of the most important aspects of listening to jazz music is that, unlike rock or other types of music, one is listening for the personal ideas, feelings and expressions of the musicians performing.

"I always tell my jazz history class you don't listen to jazz to release tension, or to shout and holler," Wilkinson said. "You're listening to a musician's personal expression."

Wilkinson said the music is about groove, motion and the musicians behind the music.

Adam Basset, University College freshman, said jazz music was something he realized he just really loved. Basset will be performing with the literature jazz band on saxophone in tonight's show.

"I love playing [jazz]," Basset said. "It's so different from classical."

He said tonight's performance would provided a unique variety of different jazz compositions and an opportunity to hear a loud and live jazz performance.

Baldwin said the atmosphere at their concerts is very relaxed and laid back as well.

"It's good music, and we put a lot of work into it," Baldwin said.

Wilkinson said the students have been working on these pieces since the beginning of the semester.
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