Chris Kozak, associate professor of music and director of jazz studies, approached Andrew Raffo Dewar of New College about a first-time partnership with jazz studies and Sonic Frontiers. Kozak has taken inspiration from Douglas for nearly two decades and is looking forward to the performance, he said.
“[Douglas’] music is not traditional jazz in the sense that he doesn’t play standard repertoire,” Kozak said. “He writes his own music, and it is highly improvisational and highly experimental.”
Douglas’ performances at the University will be part of a campaign coinciding with his 50th birthday to travel and play in all 50 states of the country. Dewar, associate professor in New College and in the School of Music, said he is looking forward to the performance and what the community will be able to learn.
“I think it’s a two-way street in terms of what is learned by the concert series,” Dewar said. “The audience and the community learn about the artist and the music and the artists and the musicians learn about this place and the people who live here.”
Sonic Frontiers concerts typically end with a question-and-answer session with the artist, and Douglas will also be hosting an open master class Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Moody Music Building.
Elliot Callaway, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies, has attended Sonic Frontiers concerts in the past and plans to return for the season opener this week.
“You’ll never go and have a band that you’ve probably listened to a lot before,” Callaway said. “It’ll probably be someone you’ve barely heard of, or if you have heard of them, they’ll be doing something out of the ordinary.”
Tickets for Dave Douglas’ performance with the quintet on Friday as well as with the Jazz Ensemble on Thursday are available at uamusic.tix.com. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and will take place in Moody Concert Hall. Tickets are $3 for students, $5 for seniors and $10 for general admission.
