Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis joins Tommy Poole, director of jazz studies and assistant professor of music, at a rehearsal before Hargis’ cameo performance with the OSU Jazz Orchestra.

OSU’s Burns Hargis to perform at campus jazz concert

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis will join the OSU Jazz Orchestra on the piano for a cameo performance at a concert that will also feature the OSU Jazz Ensemble and an after-party celebrating the jazz orchestra’s first commercially-released album, “Solid Gold,” on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Seretean Center Concert Hall.

“We’re thrilled that President Hargis has agreed to help us cap off the concert with a swinging big band classic that most people associate with Ray Charles, ‘Let the Good Times Roll,’” said Tommy Poole, director of jazz studies and assistant professor of music at OSU. “The president will play the blues piano while voice major Dustin Boatright will provide the Ray-inspired vocals.”

The OSU Jazz Ensemble will kick off the first half of the concert joined by vocalists and voice majors Shelby Stroud and Emily Sabetti, singing “Night and Day” and “My Funny Little Valentine” along with Count Basie’s “Cute” and Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower.”

The OSU Jazz Orchestra will take the stage for the second half of the concert, playing a mix of Cuban cha cha, hard hitting big swing, and a gorgeous Johnny Mandel ballad titled "A Time for Love" featuring the orchestra’s veteran trombonist, Jacob Eyler, a music industry major at OSU.

“If you enjoy music, you're going to enjoy this concert. See you at the concert, and see you at the after-party!" says Poole.

Immediately after the concert, guests will be guided to the after-party on the west side of the Seretean Center, where the critically-acclaimed OSU Jazz Orchestra's new CD "Solid Gold" will be available at reduced pricing. CD's can be purchased at this event for $12 per physical copy or $7 per download card. Free food and drink, courtesy of the Ranchers Club and Kappa Kappa Psi, will be available along with a cash bar for concert attendees at the after-party.

Tickets to the concert include the CD release party that follows and are $10 for general admission and $7 for students and senior citizens. They are available online by going to music.okstate.edu and clicking on the News and Events link. Tickets will be available online until 4 p.m. the afternoon of the concert. They will go on sale in the Seretean Center’s box office one hour before the performance.

Tickets are also available, weekdays, at the Music Department office, room 132, in the Seretean Center. Tickets can also be purchased by clicking here.

Don’t want to wait for the reduced album price at the CD party? Order online now at store.cdbaby.com and search for “Solid Gold” or click on the following link here.