‘A Swingin’ Farewell’ for NIC band director Terry Jones

The public is invited to “A Swingin’ Farewell” from the North Idaho College Jazz Ensemble and Cardinal Vocal Jazz at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, in the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center. This concert will feature special guests Andrea Olsen and Gary Gemberling. It will be a special tribute to longtime NIC Band Director Terry Jones, who has organized jazz events and other concerts at NIC for more than 30 years and will be retiring this spring.

Cardinal Vocal Jazz will open with “Blues Walk,” by Clifford Brown and arranged by Nathan Lansing. They’ll follow with “Route 66,” by Bobby Sharp and arranged by Quinn Van Papeghem. Next will be “The Luckiest,” by Ben Folds and arranged by Kerry Marsh, then “Aja” by Michael Brecker and Donald Fagan (arranged by Josh Day), then “Mornin’,” by Al Jarreau, Jay Gordon, and David Foster (arranged by Kirby Shaw). Cardinal Vocal Jazz will finish off with “I’ll be Seeing You,” by Irving Kahal (arranged by Phil Mattson) and “Blues for Elise,” by Ken Kraintz.

North Idaho College Jazz Ensemble will open its portion of the show with “Rockin’ in Rhythm,” by Carney, Ellington, and Mills. Geoff Keezer’s “Spring Wind” will come next, followed by “Decoupage,” by Hank Levy and then “Shiny Stockings,” by Frank Foster. Special guests Andrea Olsen and Gary Gemberling will sit in for “Magione Medley,” arranged by Jack Ballad. The night will end with “And then I Knew,” arranged by Bob Curnow.

Directed by Jones, the North Idaho College Jazz Ensemble is a collection of jazzers from all over the area. They get together once a week to explore the diversity in big band music. From the swing music of Ellington and Basie though the innovations of Kenton to the contemporary works of Metheny and Radio Head — nothing is off limits for this group.

Under the direction of Max Mendez, Cardinal Vocal Jazz from NIC is made of up 11 versatile singers and a rhythm section. This group specializes in close harmony and vocal improvisation. Their repertoire includes music of the Great American Songbook, Latin/Bossa Nova selections, and inventive arrangements of today’s popular music.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Information: (208) 769-3424.