Kirkwood vocal jazz show hits “Ring a Ding Ding” theme
As they have for decades, Kirkwood Community College’s student jazz vocalists will soon share music pure and unadorned. The RSVP and Jazz Transit groups will perform on stage at Ballantyne Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The dozen-plus a cappella tunes on the program will reflect popular music from Tin Pan Alley and Broadway to Motown and modern urban themes.
Kirkwood’s vocal jazz groups are directed by Ray Salucka. With the exception of one selection shared with an instrumental combo, all of the program will be performed by unaccompanied voices and vocal percussion. Composers featured in the program include Cole Porter, Stevie Wonder, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Paul Simon and Sammy Cahn.
Kirkwood’s vocal jazz vocal groups have built a renowned reputation in college performance circles, with invitations to perform at jazz festivals in the Czech Republic and Switzerland in the past decade. The RSVP and Jazz Transit ensembles have also earned awards and honors in competitions from California and Colorado to New York.
Tickets for the Nov. 15 “Ring a Ding Ding” fall vocal jazz concert are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students with current ID. Kirkwood faculty, staff and students are admitted free. Tickets are available from the Kirkwood Student Life office in Iowa Hall, (319) 398-5578.