Jazz concert raises money
Jazz Ensemble looks to collect $40,000 for summer tour
By Nyshicka Jordan
Staff Reporter

Most seniors spend their last semester of school searching for jobs. But Justin Lucero said fund raising for a trip to the North Sea Jazz Festival has put a slowed his job search.

However, Lucero, a senior marketing and e-business major, said it is worth it because the chance to attend the festival is a great way to end his college career.

Lucero plays baritone saxophone in the Monday-Wednesday-Friday Jazz Ensemble. He and other members of the band are working to raise $40,000 for a jazz tour July 9 to 20 that includes the North Sea Jazz Festival, said Adam Baggs, assistant dean of advancement for the College of Fine Arts.

Curt Wilson, director of jazz studies, said this festival is the most prestigious of any the jazz program has ever done. He said the North Sea Jazz Festival selects between 10 to 12 college bands from the United States.

“The who’s who in the jazz world will be there,” Wilson said.

Lucero said the band was invited to the North Sea Jazz Festival after they sent in a CD of live performances from the last 1 1/2 years. He said this is an honor to be invited and that the opportunity to attend something like this gives the band a good reputation and that it will help in recruiting the best musicians.

The band hosted a benefit concert Tuesday night as part of their effort to raise money for their tour.

Virginia Neely, a sophomore music education major, said about 150 tickets were sold at $10 a person.

Trombone player Scott Sunde said the tour will give the band a lot of exposure.

“It’s one of the most highly regarded jazz festivals in the world and for the school to be invited is great,” said Sunde, a sophomore music education major.

Beside the North Sea Jazz Festival, the band will also attend the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and the Pori Jazz Festival. Although $40,000 must be raised from outside funds, Wilson said, the total cost of the trip is about $70,000. Band members will have to pay $900 from their own pocket, he said.

Drummer Tyler Summers, a junior engineering major, said he will pay for his fee from his savings. He said the trip is worth it because it is a great deal for two weeks.

Wilson said TCU will assist in some of the cost and other funds are coming from donors and another benefit concert March 29.

The band will tour The Hague and Amsterdam, Netherlands; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; and Helsinki, Finland.

Baggs said in the past the jazz programs have been able to raise $20,000 twice for trips to Hawaii and Vienna, but that this trip costs more because of the higher cost of travel.

He said the major expense of this summer’s tour is the cost of getting there and transportation during the tour, and that fund-raising efforts are just getting underway.
Baggs said various individuals and foundations have been contacted for support and that letters to jazz program alumni will be sent later this week asking for contributions.

“The economy could be a lot better,” Baggs said. “But we do have a number of alumni and friends who are supporters.”

Lucero said being discouraged about the cost of the trip is deterred by the excitement of band members.

Summers said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I think it’s a great experience to go to Europe and play,” Tyler said. “I’ve never done that before and I don’t know if I’ll get this chance again outside of school.”

Wilson said this tour will not be all about music, but will also be an educational opportunity. Others who are not members of the Monday-Wednesday-Friday Jazz Ensemble can attend the tour, he said.

Wilson said between 15 to 20 extra passengers are invited and that the cost for each person to attend is $2,950.

n.d.jordan@tcu.edu