Jazz studies alumni to reunite for CD release concert

KALAMAZOO—Mas Que Nada, an award-winning Latin jazz ensemble from the School of Music, returns to Western Michigan University for a reunion concert and CD release as part of the Distinguished Alumni Series at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

A collective of young jazz artists, Mas Que Nada is directed and produced by Tom Knific, director of the jazz studies program. The Jan. 20 concert will feature the debut of the ensemble’s self-titled CD, as well as many of the works made popular by the group, including Brazilian, Afro Cuban, and Salsa favorites.

Mas Que Nada

Mas Que Nada won an unprecedented two consecutive DownBeat Student Music Awards in 2010 and 2011 in the Latin jazz category, making WMU and Kalamazoo a center for Latin jazz studies. The ensemble features 11 musicians:

• Jon Ailabouni, trumpet
• Loren Battley, vocals
• Eric Bowman, trombone
• Peter Breithaupt, percussion
• Dominic Carioti, tenor saxophone
• Evan Hyde, drums
• Ashley Kimbrough, vocals
• Matt Landon, guitar
• Taylor O’Donnell, vocals
• Jordan Richards, bass
• Jeremy Siskind, piano

For more information about the concert, visit wmich.edu/music or call (269) 387-4667.