The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra is hosting a free concert in the Eagles Nest on Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

The ensemble is led by Scott Garlock, professor of music at Ashland University, who has been with the Jazz Orchestra for 16 years.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the jazz orchestra consists of 16 musicians.

Garlock said his role is to inspire students “to hopefully make good sounds and work together to make those sounds.”

He said this concert is an investment for the group, “we’re trying to just plant the seeds for all the goodness that comes later.”

This concert will feature Alli Lange, senior vocalist and music major, it is her first year in the jazz orchestra.

In an email interview Lange said she “will be singing two songs: “It Had To Be You” and “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” Many of the greats have done these tunes, so we’re excited to share them with everyone!”

The orchestra has prepared a wide range of music for their concert in the nest.

Garlock said this year the orchestra will “learn to play stuff from the 20s, stuff from this millenium all the way through the gambit of big band jazz.”

This concert allows the orchestra to break the fourth wall and really interact with the audience, as they are not separated by a stage.

“It’s a real intimate thing, we can be much sillier and chill and so the audience connects a lot better with the show,” he said.

The jazz orchestra puts on two concerts in the nest every year and Garlock recommends audience members “get there early because it’s always packed.”

Beyond Jazz at the Nest, Lange is looking forward to the jazz orchestra’s trip to Spain over spring break.

She said, “this trip will be a great opportunity to take our hard work and showcase it elsewhere in the world, while also learning about the culture that we’ll be visiting. It seems to be the event everyone is looking forward to!”

The rhythm section consists of Lange, senior Torin Dunn, freshman Susie Alley, senior Moriah Goldsmith and sophomore Molly Willard.

Playing saxophone are, sophomore Jacob Moses, freshman Logan O’Laskey, sophomore Erin Wright and junior section leader Ariane Hill.

Playing trombone are junior Emily Schordock, Ashland high school students Luke Blackley and Jack Weber and senior Erin Watts.

The trumpet players are sophomore Nick Lawwill, senior Brendan Barber, senior Nathan Roblin and freshman Jacob Bodnar.