Jazz Concert May 1

The North Lake College Big- Band will be in concert, Tuesday, May 1, in the Performance Hall.

Led by former Grapevine High School Director Danny Prado, the band will perform an evening of contemporary jazz numbers. Trombonist, Chris Seiter is the featured guest.

Seiter was a member of the world famous University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, and has since recorded with numerous artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and Ray Charles.

The band will also be joined by the Baroka Ismail quartet, a group made up of three North Lake College music students – bassist Ismail, guitarist Michael Furry, saxophonist Vandell Andrew, and UNT drummer Ed McSweeney. The quartet will be featured on a jazz/rock tune entitled, “Michael’s Groove.”

Vandell Andrew moved to Irving from New Orleans, La., following Hurricane Katrina. Growing up in the birthplace of jazz, it was only natural that Andrew would develop an affinity for jazz music. His mother, Olevia, and Andrew’s two younger brothers, Denzel and Torrell, are musicians as well.

The entire Andrew family performs during each Sunday service at the Antioch Christian Church in Irving in a style of music that Andrew describes as “Christian R & B.”

Although he still “misses his friends in New Orleans,” Andrew plans to remain a permanent resident of Irving and hopes to teach and perform contemporary jazz for a living in the future.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and is open to the public.