In observance of HPU’s month-long celebration of Black History Month, Stephen Goacher, professor of music at HPU, will present the Faculty Jazz Recital on Thursday, February 20. The concert will be held in Mims Auditorium and admission is free. The pre-concert interactive will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the concert will follow at 7:30 p.m.

This concert marks the fifth Black History Month jazz concert Goacher has presented at HPU. Joining Goacher in the program will be jazz faculty from Angelo State University and Hardin-Simmons University, alumni and special guests.

“I am so grateful for the outstanding leadership Professor Goacher continues to provide for this important event,” said Dr. Mike Rosato, dean of the School of Education and Fine Arts. “He has, once again, assembled extraordinary talent as part of HPU’s observance of Black History Month. We are blessed to be able to offer this high-caliber jazz concert at no charge.”

Goacher and Rev. Henry Smith will present a pre-concert interactive on the topic of “Music of the Church Influences the Direction of Jazz.” Rev. Smith has served as minister and music minister of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church in Abilene for 50 years. He will present a selection of his re-harmonized interpretations of traditional hymns. The concert will illustrate the pre-concert demonstrations with the church-inspired Horace Silver composition: “Sister Sadie.”

Members of the ensemble are Dr. John Irish, professor of music at Angelo State University, trumpet; Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell, professor of low brass and theory at Hardin-Simmons University, trombone; Mr. James Bode, adjunct instructor of percussion at HPU, drums; Gannon Phillips, HPU alumni, bass; Rev. Smith, piano; and Angel Noriega of San Angelo, conga and Latin percussion.

“The understanding of a people group is accomplished by the study of their religion and art,” said Goacher. “Primarily an African-American art form, jazz is one of America’s original contributions to world culture. Jazz has accurately and steadily communicated social preoccupation with themes of spirituality, freedom, equality, democracy, integration and the necessity of invention.”

Compositions for the program will include “Groovin’ High” by Dizzy Gillespie, arranged by Jim Bode; “Blues After Dark”, by Benny Golson, “Falling in Love with Love” as played by The Jazz Messengers; “Blues for All” by Eric Alexander, “Corcovado” by Antonio Carlos Jobim; and “Opus De Funk” by Horace Silver.

For more information about HPU, visit www.hputx.edu or call 325-649-8020.