Nov. 20: Jazz Mavericks Big Band Presents Jazz Ball

Saturday, November 20, 2021
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Centennial Student Union Ballroom

Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Music News Release

Mankato, Minn. - Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Maverick Jazz Student Organization will perform a jazz ball in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom (620 South Rd., Mankato) on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 7:30-9:30 pm. 

Preceding the ball, the University Swing Dance Club will present dance lessons in the CSU ballroom from 6-7 p.m. Swing Dance Club president Jonas Hart commented: “Swing dance, ballroom dance, and live music for our first Jazz Ball! Anyone can come with any experience! Our lessons will include east coast one-time swing basics.”

The Jazz Mavericks big band will perform a variety of jazz classics from the swing era including favorites such as "In The Mood" and "Sing Sing Sing."  The band will also feature a number of vocalists, including music professor Stephanie Thorpe and members of Minnesota State Mankato's Maverick Fusion and Maverick Vocal Precision contemporary vocal ensembles. Vocalists will perform hits such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Sway."

Referring to this jazz band/swing club collaboration, Maverick Jazz Student Organization officer, and Swing Dance Club member Abby Shogren commented: "I am very excited to see these two communities that have the same passion expressed in different ways come together to make a really fun night for all students and community members!" 

The Jazz Mavericks have been featured at the annual Minnesota State Mankato JazzFest with notable international jazz artists, and at jazz festivals in New Orleans, Reno, and regionally in Elmhurst, Illinois, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  Vocalists from Maverick Vocal Precision and Maverick Fusion vocal ensembles have been featured at a cappella festivals in New York, Washington D.C., and throughout southern Minnesota.

The jazz ball is open to students and to the general public. Tickets will be available at the door ($7 for students, $15 for general public). Proceeds from the event will go to the Maverick Jazz Student Organization in support of multiple jazz student events throughout the year.