NATCHITOCHES – Pianist James Armstrong will perform with the Northwestern State University Jazz Orchestra on Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. A livestream of the concert will be available at www.nsu.la/CAPA-LIVE. Associate Professor of Music. Galindo Rodriguez will conduct the orchestra.
Armstrong, an NSU alumnus, is a jazz pianist, performer and educator. He earned his Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Armstrong has developed a diverse musical career performing across multiple genres including jazz, gospel, zydeco and blues.
Armstrong previously served as a keyboardist with the 1st Cavalry Division Band in the U.S. Army, where he performed for military ceremonies and international audiences. During his service he toured throughout Europe with the U.S. Army Band and performed in the D-Day Tattoo during the World War II Commemoration in Normandy, France, honoring the legacy of Allied veterans.
Throughout his career, Armstrong has shared the stage with a wide range of notable artists. In the zydeco world he has worked with acclaimed performers such as Keith Frank, Curley Taylor and Major Handy. His gospel performance credits include appearances with nationally recognized artists such as Crystal Rucker, Alexis Spight, Kierra Sheard and Micah Stampley.
Armstrong has also performed with blues artist Marquise Knox and jazz artists Cassie J and Karer Devroop. He has made guest appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and has performed at iconic venues such as the House of Blues New Orleans
The Jazz Orchestra will play “Groove Blues” by Don Menza with Jarrett Thomisee on tenor saxophone and Mateo Vela on trombone, “Bossa Rio” by John Fedchock with Thomisee on tenor saxophone and “Spain” by Chick Correa featuring the trombone section and NSU Professor of Trombone Dr. J. Mark Thompson.
Vocalist Candace Paul will be the featured soloist on “Beyond the Sea” by Jack Lawrence and Charles Trenet and arranged by Jerry Nowak and “Something’s Gotta Give” by Johnny Mercer and arranged by Dave Wolpe. Vocalist Layton Zeringue will be featured on “Minnie the Moocher” by Cab Calloway.
The orchestra will also play “Samantha” by Sammy Nestico with Hayden Hirons on alto saxophone and “Mantuna” by Shelly Berg with Thomisee on tenor saxophone
Armstrong will be featured on “Stella by Starlight” by Victor Young/Ned Washington and arranged by Nelson Riddle, “A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie arranged by Michael Mossman, “Cold Duck Time” by Eddie Harris arranged by Mark Taylor and “Speak to My Heart” by Carl Allen arranged by Dawson Lasseigne.