Spice up your life on Sunday, Nov. 13 when the Laredo Community College Show Band presents its fall concert at 3 p.m. in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center theater.
Sponsored by the LCC Music and Dance Department, the concert is free and open to the public.
Artistic director/conductor for the LCC Show Band is Jose D. Compean, who established the ensemble in the fall of 1978.
The concert will be the result of many hours of practice by the students of the college performance ensemble. The concert will focus on the exciting rhythms of Latin jazz music.
Celebrating his 34th year in music education, Compean expressed his satisfaction in teaching a group of talented and dedicated student musicians.
“I am elated that I have the opportunity to work with musically gifted students,” Compean said.
He added that the students’ enthusiasm makes his teaching experience a rewarding pleasure.
Compean said that the students’ commitment to excellence is contagious and more than enough to motivate him to excel in his educational and civic responsibilities.
The concert will begin with Dizzy Gillespie’s Latin salsa piece “Manteca.”
Compean said that Gillespie was influenced by the drive of the Afro-Cuban rhythms and was inspired to write the popular work after a trip to Cuba.
The Show Band will continue to heat things up with Maynard Ferguson’s arrangement of “Chameleon.”
This high-paced piece, which will feature a saxophone solo and the trumpet section, was written by Herbie Hancock. The group also will play Hancock’s “Watermelon Man.”
The concert also will be an educational experience for those who attend. Compean will dedicate some time to introducing some of the instruments used by the Show Band; band members will offer a brief demonstration to highlight the unique sounds of the musical instruments.
Among the soloists to be featured in the Show Band concert are tenor saxophonist Jerry Espinoza during the selection “Pick Up the Piece,” written by Stuart/Gorrie and Duncan.
The saxophone piece was recorded in 1975 by the Average White Band and became a staple among professional musicians, including Kenny G and David Sanborn.
The Show Band also will offer a special trip down memory lane when it presents ballads of the Golden Era.
Among the selections will be “Perfidia,” written by Alberto Dominguez and featuring vocalist Leticia Joy Alva. The ballad was recorded in 1992 by internationally acclaimed vocalist Linda Ronstadt.
With the recent observance of Veterans Day, the LCC Show Band will present a segment of patriotic music, including the performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America, The Beautiful.” Both pieces will be sung by Alva.
The concert will conclude with “Spain,” a Latin jazz rock song, written by the legendary jazz pianist/composer Chick Correa. Compean said several Show Band members will solo on this piece.
Members of the LCC Show Band include Leticia Joy Alva, vocals; Hacel Arias and Alva, flute; Jonathan Arias, alto saxophone; and Jerry Espinosa and Adam Hernandez, tenor saxophone.
Playing french horn is Gerardo A. Contreras, who also is the president of the LCC Music Club.
On lead trumpet is Jose “Paco” Trevino; other trumpet players include Humberto Tamez, Jon Guerrero and Jose “Pepe” Compean.
The trombone section includes Rick Ortiz, Gerardo Guajardo and Ramiro Martinez.
On tuba are Reymundo Torres and Nicole Berreiro.
Members of the rhythm section include: Dember Demasiado and Dr. Mary Grace Carroll, piano/keyboards; Albert Salazar, electric bass; and Carlos “Curly” Castillo, drum set.
During its long existence, the LCC Show Band has been invited to perform in many special events, including the grand opening for the Laredo International Airport and the Laredo Public Library.
Another notable performance was the Show Band’s performance in the WBCA Grand Parade during the college’s 50th anniversary.
Compean was recognized recently with the prestigious Rising Star Award from United Way of Laredo, the Horizon Award presented to outstanding faculty advisors by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and a Vocational Service Award for leadership by the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club.
As the college prepares for a new term in 2006, Compeán encourages interested musicians from the area to enroll in a course to become members of the Show Band.
For more information, contact Compeán by telephone at 721-5304 or by e-mail at jdc@laredo.edu.
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