HS Jazz Society, library renew free jazz concert series
The Hot Springs Jazz Society and the Garland County Library have renewed their long-standing partnership to provide a free monthly jazz concert series at the library, 1427 Malvern Ave., through February, according to a news release.
The first concert of the new season is “Heart and Soul of New Orleans,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9.
“New Orleans jazz is a style of music all its own and almost any song can be ‘jazzed up’ with a New Orleans beat. Jazz music was originally music made for dancing, not just listening and New Orleans jazz has a swinging, stomping, syncopated beat that makes people want to dance,” the release said.
The concert will feature the America’s Art Form Trio, a rotating group of local musicians including Clyde Pound on keyboard and David Higginbotham on bass. “Heart and Soul of New Orleans” will feature special guest George “Doc” Ryan on the trumpet.
All of the free concerts will begin at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, October through February. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The remainder of the tentative 2019-20 concert schedule includes:
• Wednesday, Nov. 13 – “Swing Street & the Cotton Club.”
• Wednesday, Dec. 11 – “Bird & Diz & a Cool Yule.”
• Wednesday, Jan. 8 – “Vocal Colors.”
• Wednesday, Feb. 12 – “Techno Parade & Electric Circus Party.” This season marks the seventh year for the Garland County Library and Hot Springs Jazz Society partnership.
“Concerts performed at the library have featured over 24 musicians who have entertained over 2,500 men, women, and children. The Jazz Society has raised nearly $2,000 from their donation jars at these concerts. Those funds have contributed to their scholarship program which sends Arkansas high school students to the University of Arkansas in Monticello’s Summer Jazz Camp,” the release said.
Visit http://www.gclibrary.com or call 623-4161 for more information about the library and its programs, or visit http://www.hsjazzsociety.org for more information about the Jazz Society.