The Milligan College Jazz Ensemble performed alongside special guest Dr. Will Campbell on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Seeger Chapel.  

 

They performed in front of a crowd of almost 300 people including Milligan students and alumni, as well as local jazz fans.

 

The ensemble played four songs before they brought out Campbell, their special guest for the night. He is from North Carolina and serves as the director of jazz studies and associate professor of saxophone at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

 

Campbell toured with Harry Connick, Jr. from 1990-1994 where he even recorded a few songs. He has also worked with numerous well-known jazz artists including Aretha Franklin and Frank Sinatra Jr.

 

Campbell met Rick Simerly, the director of the Milligan College Jazz Ensemble, when the two were in college. Since then, they’ve maintained a working relationship with each other.

 

“When Rick called me to ask if I wanted to play in the spring concert, I jumped at the opportunity,” said Campbell. “I hope everyone at Milligan knows how lucky they are to have a nationally renowned jazz musician right here on campus.”

 

Campbell played four songs alongside the ensemble and then, right before the finale, played one song with just Simerly.

 

“One of my stipulations for coming here and performing was that Rick had to do a song with me just once,” said Campbell.

 

The group then closed out together with the song “Manteca,” which was originally written by Dizzy Gillespie. They were met with a standing ovation.