Jazz Ensemble and Combos perform Oct. 25

Furman saxophone professor Matt Olson

The Furman Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos will present their fall concert Friday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. in Daniel Recital Hall on the Furman campus.

For this first student concert of the year, admission (at the door) is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

The concert will be conducted by Furman music professor Matt Olson, and will feature music of Thad Jones, Wayne Shorter, Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan fame), and arrangements of “Great American Songbook” favorites.

In addition to the Oct. 25 performance, one of Furman’s jazz combos plays each Wednesday evening, 8-10 p.m. in Furman’s new restaurant, The Paddock, located in the Trone Student Center.

Olson holds a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s in jazz pedagogy and a bachelor’s in saxophone performance from Northwestern University. Olson honed his craft under teachers including Frederick Hemke, Debra Richtmeyer, Mike Kocour, Don Owens, Paul Bro and Jonathan Helton.

His background includes performances with Randy Brecker, Kurt Elling, Benny Carter, Ken Peplowski, Kevin Mahogany, Chris Vadala, Doc Severinsen, Manhattan Transfer, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls, Johnny Mathis, Wayne Newton, the Temptations, and the Four Tops, among others.

For more information about the event contact the Furman University Music Department at 864-294-2086, or FurmanMusic@furman.edu.