FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zina L. Carter
979.532.6417
The The Wharton County Junior College Band will present "Latin Swing" at 7 p.m. Tuesday,
Nov. 7, at the Horton Foote Theatre in the Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building on the
Wharton campus. Pictured, from left, are Ethan Weinberg of Danevang, Nakeal Roberts
of Richmond and Cody Kelner of East Bernard.
WHARTON, TEXAS – With heart-thumping rhythms, mesmerizing bass lines and scorching brass solos, the Wharton County Junior College Band’s “Latin Swing” concert is one not to be missed. Watching Band Director Joe Waldrop conduct the concert in a Zoot Suit is simply icing on the cake.
“The music will be fast and loud,” Waldrop said. “It’s going to be hard for the audience to stay in their seats.”
The “Latin Swing” concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Horton Foote Theatre in the Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building on the Wharton campus. The performance is free of admission.
Waldrop is opting to get into the spirit of the music by donning a Zoot Suit, a style of clothing popular with jazz musicians in the 1940s. The suits – somewhat cartoonish in appearance – feature long coats with wide, padded shoulders, high-waisted trousers and are often topped off with a fedora. Actor Jim Carrey wore a bright yellow Zoot Suit in the 1994 movie The Mask, which featured several Latin Swing style tunes. The WCJC Band will play several songs from the film during the concert.
Additional concert pieces include Miami Sound Machine’s 1987 hit, “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” as well as the Disney classic, “The Bare Necessities,” which appeared in the classic children’s movie, The Jungle Book.
Waldrop plans to have his jazz band perform that tune at a special performance next spring in Branson, Mo.
This is the first time the WCJC Band has performed a concert entirely comprised of Latin Swing tunes. Waldrop said the music’s quick nature makes it challenging – yet enjoyable – for the students. Waldrop rotates his drummers and guitar players in order to keep them fresh enough to keep up with the pace.
The majority of the selections feature solos, from the tenor saxophone to the trumpet to the drums. Waldrop said his 18-piece band is well prepared for the challenges.
Waldrop encouraged the public to not miss out on what’s sure to be the highlight performance of the semester.
“Anyone who misses out on this concert is going to wish they had been there,” he said. “We’re going to have a really good time.”
The WCJC Band will present the “Latin Swing” concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Horton Foote Theatre in the Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building on the Wharton campus. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
