Azusa Pacific 7th Annual Battle of the Big Bands March 19 and 20
Azusa Pacific University, the Christian university located in central Azusa, is anything but stodgy. The university’s neighbor, Citrus College, may be hipper, but music-wise a challenge has been issued between the Citrus Blue Note Swing Orchestra and APU’s Jazz Ensemble for 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 19 and 8:00 p.m Saturday, March 20. It must be a pretty friendly affair if the two music groups can duel Friday and return for a Saturday show.
The lively program to show off the two education giants with its jazz and big-band stuff is being presented as the Seventh Annual Battle of the Big Bands that they also call the “Citrus Showdown” in honor of the location of this “battle”, Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College. Citrus College sits adjacent to Azusa Pacific University’s campus, on the east side.
This annual program highlights the campus rivalry between APU’s director of the Jazz Ensemble, David Beatty, and Citrus College’s director of the swing band, Robert Slack. Both men are accomplished professional musicians. Beatty is a freelance studio trombone player who also can be seen in several regional symphony orchestras. Slack is a trumpeter with years of experience in the recording field, but also has received the Jazz Educator of the Year Award from the International Jazz Educator’s Association. By the way, this fractious rivalry is made keener by Beatty’s position as Adjunct Faculty at Citrus in addition to his teaching chores at APU.
Well, never mind. Music makes the world go round.
Tickets are $15, general admission; Seniors, $13; and students, $10.
Haugh Performing Arts Center, Citrus College, is at 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. Information: (626) 963-9411.
Click below to hear the Blue Note Swing Orchestra
By Bill Peters
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