CSN students to belt out jazz standards in concert

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Fifteen students from the College of Southern Nevada’s vocal music program will perform during the school’s 10th biannual Vocal Jazz Solo Nights at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The concert is designed to give vocal music students experience in live performance while introducing them to the jazz genre, says Mark Wherry, the head of the college’s vocal music program.

“This is really important for our students because the young ones aren’t exposed to jazz much anymore,” Wherry says, adding that there aren’t many venues in Las Vegas that feature live jazz.

Each student must select a jazz song for a solo performance. “Stormy Weather,” “Summertime,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and other classics are among the lineup.

“It’s sort of like ‘American Idol’ but without the judging,” Wherry says.

The students represent a wide variety of singing experience, including some who have never performed live as well as others who have done professional gigs.

The students also will perform several ensemble pieces, including Thelonius Monk’s “Straight No Chaser” and Horace Silver’s “Doodlin’.”

The solo series started as a one night, once-a-year event but became so popular, a second night of performances was added. Three years ago, Wherry added a spring concert as well because demand was so high.

The students will be accompanied by a piano, bass and drums.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@
reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.