Hornheads, saxophonist Mike Tomaro headline 21st ISU Jazz Fest Feb. 6-7

The 21st annual Idaho State University Jazz Fest will be held Feb. 6-7 in the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center’s Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall.

The music begins Friday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. with some horn playing by the five-piece band The Hornheads. This band is made up of tenor and baritone saxophonists, two trumpeters and a trombonist.

“This a cappella group brings their distinctive flair to jazz and funk music, combining virtuosic improvisation with sizzling ensemble work to create a truly unique music experience,” said Patrick Brooks, ISU director of bands and event organizer. “They delight audiences with their artistry, versatility, musicality and precision, covering American masters from Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, to Leonard Bernstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Stevie Wonder, while completing their repertoire with dynamic Hornheads originals.”

Tickets for The Hornheads concert are $10 for general public, $5 for ISU faculty and staff, $3 for pre-college students and free to all ISU students with valid Bengal Cards.

The Jazz Fest’s Saturday, Feb. 7, concert at 7:30 p.m. will feature saxophonist Mike Tomaro playing with the ISU Jazz I Big Band. Tomaro, formerly saxophonist with and director of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, is currently director of the Duquense University Jazz Studies Program in Pittsburgh.

Tomaro has performed with Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Mathis, Terence Blanchard, Dizzy Gillespie Tribute Big Band, New York Voices, Woody Herman Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and many other professional musical organizations. An outstanding jazz educator, Tomaro has many of his compositions and arrangements published by Kendor Music.

Admission for the Feb. 7 concert is $6 for adults, $4 for ISU faculty and staff, $2 for pre-college students and free for ISU students with valid Bengal cards.

For more information contact Dr. Patrick Brooks at 282-3147, or at broopatr@isu.edu.