NSU Green Country Jazz Series continues with Jam-Balaya

By Laura Butler
NSU Staff Writer

Northeastern State University's Jazz Ensemble continues its Green Country Jazz Series with its Jam-Balaya dinner and concert Feb. 4 at the NSU Jazz Lab.

The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and the NSU Jazz Ensemble performs at 8 p.m. There will be special appearances by Pam Van Dyke Crosby of the Tulsa Jazz Society, NSU professor and musician Dr. Carl Farinelli and jazz vocalist Mary Kay Henderson.

Dr. Tommy Poole, director of Jazz Studies, said the concert allows the showcasing of talent from eastern Oklahoma with the Jazz Ensemble.

"It will be great to hear Mary Kay with a big band singing jazz standards," Poole said. "Her husband Brad, is one of the busier music arrangers in the US. He'll be playing piano and arranging the music for this performance with her... and Pam Van Dyke Crosby is a great jazz singer. I was fortunate to hear her at a Tulsa venue couple of months ago and we're lucky to have her with us on this event."

Farinelli will step away from his daily duties with the College of Education for Jam-Balaya.

"I won't tell you exactly what we're going to do with Dr. Farinelli," said Poole, "but I will say it will involve him, a harmonica, the NSU Jazz Ensemble and some blues."

Activities include a King and Queen Jam-Balaya contest and a silent auction. Poole said the audience also can expect the tasty food Jam-Balaya always offers.

"Usually, the first question I get about Jam-Balaya is whether or not Mickey and Terris Spears will be making the gumbo again," he said. "I'm very happy to say that yes, they will.....

"This will fill up. I highly recommend reserving tickets or tables in advance."

Tickets for the dinner are $35 per couple or $20 for individuals. Concert-only tickets are $12 each. For reservations or more info, call 918-444-4603, or visit www.nsuok.edu/jazzlab.

The Green Country Jazz Series is presented with the assistance of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council.