Jazz nights at Samuels library in Front Royal this week

David Freese, one of Front Royal’s musical ‘entrepreneurs’, is recommending to jazz enthusiasts a visit to Samuels Public Library on Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 26-27) evenings 6:30 to 8 p.m.

On those days, Robert Larson, Director of Jazz Studies at Shenandoah Conservatory, will lecture and perform a program called “A Jazz History: Origins to Art Form.” Freese encourages the public to attend Larson’s program to learn and to listen to, and be entertained by “this uniquely American music form, its history and evolution” including Larsen’s performance.

The program is free, children welcome, but it would be helpful to library staff if you’d register by telephone in advance so seating is assured. The adult reference desk number is 540-635-3153.

Perhaps by coincidence, Larson’s appearance coincides with the opening of Shenandoah University Conservatory’s  2017/18 season this month. A major musical production, “Cabaret”, opens over the weekend (Sept. 29-Oct.1) in the Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre. On Nov. 3, a jazz ensemble will present “bop for big band” and there is a plethora of music presentations from concert bands to the Bach-Handel Festival (Oct. 27-29) going into next year.

Larson’s presentation at the local library traces the development of jazz from its earliest influences personified by Louis Armstrong, through the compositions of Duke Ellington, the big swing bands, and into the modernistic strains of Miles Davis and John Coltrane.