TAMUK celebrates 55th annunal jazz festival

Texas A&M University

Kingsville (TAMUK) held its 55th annual Jazz Festival on March 24 and 25.

The festival included 46 jazz bands from across Texas competing for numerous awards.

The School of Music arranged performances from Jazz band I, II, III and IV, along with jazz combos that featured well known Trumpeter Chase Sanborn.

Throughout the festival the spotlight was shone upon many talented individuals, one being Adjunct Professor Edward Moncada.

Moncada attended his first TAMUK “Jazz Bash” in 2005 when he was a middle school student.

After attending this event his passion for jazz music grew and he decided to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree at TAMUK, for which he is now conducting at the School of Music.

“I have said for a long time that the School of Music here is like a bubble for the arts and for jazz; there is not another place like this in South Texas. My time here has included some of the best days of my life. If I could go back and do it again, I would. If I could tell everyone one thing tonight it would be to absorb the moment, and hopefully they can continue on to educate and bring their students here as well,” Moncada said.

On Friday evening Moncada announced that this would be the last TAMUK jazz festival he attends for a few years, as he plans to earn his PhD in Colorado.

The Jazz Fest is more than an ordinary concert, to many this is the event that leaves an impact on them, forever.

Francisco Chapa, who previously attended the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, was an audience member at the 54th Jazz Festival whrn he realized last year, he belonged on TAMUK’s stage.

“I think it is really important to keep this music alive. It is America’s original form of art. I was sitting here in this third row last year, and man I was blown away. I was so excited; I knew I had to transfer, and I have not looked back since then,” he said.

Chapa not only played in multiple groups at this

Grande Valley to perform with various groups as well.

Sanborn, the guest per former for this year’s Jazz Fest, also hosted several clinics.

“I have been attending for several years […] and every year it feels like I’m witnessing history. They always find a way to top their last perfor mance again and again. I always look forward to seeing who they invite as a guest, and hope to see a vocalist in the fu ture, specifically Grace Kelly,” School of Music student Sarah Galindo said.