Jazzing up the Schuler Center

North Idaho College's Jazz Ensemble and the JazzCo. Small jazz choir will present their spring concert recognizing the 30th year of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. "In the TS Spirit" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 15 in NIC's Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

The concert is presented as part of an annual series that aims to celebrate the spirit of longtime NIC instructor and human rights leader Tony Stewart and his various humanitarian efforts.

"The purpose of this annual concert is to spread awareness of the issues that face our community," said NIC Band Director Terry Jones.

An in-depth exhibit will be on display beginning at 7 p.m. in the Boswell Hall lobby, regarding the history of the Aryan Nations in North Idaho and the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations' efforts to combat hate over the past 30 years. The exhibit includes photographs and artifacts from the Aryan Nations compound.

During the concert, video clips about the history of the task force will be shown and speakers will give brief descriptions of how the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations was formed, its proactive stance on human rights and how it influenced law enforcement and legal activities. The evening will culminate with comments from Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem.

The musical selections for the concert will highlight a wide variety of big band music, "touching on old and new and everything in between," Jones said.

The NIC Jazz Ensemble will perform a new funk tune arranged by Gordon Goodwin called "Get In Line" as well as a Duke Ellington piece performed exactly like Duke Ellington's band performed it in the past called "Rockin' in Rhythm." Other highlights include a Miles Davis piece called "Blue In Green" and a hard bop tune with a blues feel arranged by John Clayton, artistic director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, called "The Jody Grind."

JazzCo. Small will perform the "Isn't It Romantic" arranged by Phil Mattson and the Jeremy Fox arrangement of "Wings to Fly."

The concert is free and open to the public.

Information: (208) 769-3276