PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College will ring in the holiday season at the sixth annual Jingle Jazz concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Little Theater.
General admission tickets can be purchased online for $15 at www.brownpaper tickets.com/event/3822121. If available, tickets may also be purchased for $15 at the door.
Proceeds will benefit the college’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble and students and programs.
Last year’s Jingle Jazz helped send the Vocal Jazz singers to Ireland for a musical and cultural student exchange.
Elaine Gardner-Morales, vocal jazz instructor and her students hope for another successful event that can send them on their adventure.
Back by popular demand, Pearl Django is this year’s featured guest, joining the Peninsula College Vocal Jazz Ensemble for a night of swinging music and holiday cheer.
“It’s always great to celebrate the many gifts we experience in our community, particularly at this time of year,” said Gardner-Morales.
Vocal Harmony, a part of the Peninsula College Vocal Jazz group, has been busy performing and showing off its hard work and musical talent around the region this fall, at places like Olympic Cellars and Sherwood Village.
Gardner-Morales is especially excited about this year’s performance, and the return of Seattle-based Pearl Django.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the student learning, effort and the community response of our performances,” she said.
Pearl Django’s roots are in the music made famous by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli but its extensive repertoire includes traditional jazz classics and original compositions.
Pearl Django has performed at festivals, dances and nightspots throughout the U.S. and abroad. It has played at the Festival Django Reinhardt in Samois sur Seine and has been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
“Pearl Django performed at Jingle Jazz two years ago, and we were overwhelmed by the response of audience members who asked us to bring them back,” said Getta Rogers Workman, Peninsula College Foundation executive director.
“We hope to send the Vocal Jazz students to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, in February, providing them with yet another exceptional learning experience. Proceeds from a successful concert will accomplish that.”
Jingle Jazz is suited for audiences of all ages. As in years past, the show will include a variety of jazz styles and modern arrangements of classic jazz literature.
Vocal jazz ensemble members include Bee Wilkins, Brad Alemeo, Robbin Eaves, Alondra Franco, Megan Vandusen, Luke Weaver, Chris Burt, Christina Kohout, Tiara Delatorre and Zoella Baumann.
A lineup of musicians will back the group, including local favorites Al Harris on piano, Terry Smith on drums, Chuck Easton on guitar and Ted Enderle on bass.
The concert is presented by The Olympus Group of DA Davidson, Sound Community Bank and the Peninsula College Foundation.
For more information about Jingle Jazz or the Peninsula College Foundation, contact Workman at grogers@pencol.edu or 360-417-6400.
