UNT Counts on Basie for great Jazz performance

By Kathy Edwards McFarland

The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, directed by Scotty Barnhart, will bring some of the best musicians in the world to perform the Count’s great Jazz music, this Wednesday, February 6, 2019, to University of North Texas’ Murchison Performing Arts Center, from 7:30 to 9 pm.

A former member of the CBO, University of North Texas Saxophone Professor Brad Leali was instrumental in bringing the Grammy-award winning orchestra to UNT. He will be leading a (free) jam session with members of the CBO, and the UNT Jazz Showcase (featuring Rodney Booth), Thursday at Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 115 S. Elm St., starting at 7 pm.

“It’s impossible to be specific on how many members of the band will be there,” said Leali, who played with the Basie orchestra for eight years.

This group is considered to be one of the most explosive forces in jazz, emerging out of the swing era and lasting still today. The performance is open to UNT community with Ticket Prices: FREE for UNT Students, $5 Student Guest, $10 for UNT Staff/Faculty/Alumni, $20 for General Public.

For more information, call: (940) 565-3815