Arts and Entertainment

Mardi Gras Jazz comes to Penn State March 1

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Swing to the sounds of both new and old New Orleans in the annual Mardi Gras concert by Penn State's Centre Dimensions Jazz Ensemble at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 1, in the Music Building's Esber Recital Hall, University Park.

Decked in the traditional colors of purple, green and gold and sporting masks, costumes and plenty of beads, Centre Dimensions will offer up a quintessential Big Easy Mardi Gras experience right here in Happy Valley. The ensemble is directed by Dan Yoder, Penn State's director of jazz studies. Tickets are available at the door, $4.99 for general public and $2 for students.

This concert is available through live streaming video at the Penn State School of Music.

Program to be Announced

Centre Dimensions, the premier 20-piece jazz ensemble at Penn State, performs frequently on campus and tours throughout Pennsylvania and the Eastern United States. In addition, Centre Dimensions performs and works with several internationally known artists each year. Previous guests have included Phil Woods (sax), Cyrus Chesnut (piano), Bob Mintzer (sax), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), George Rabbai (trumpet, vocals), Frank Morgan (sax), Lynn Seaton (bass), and John Riley (drums). They perform a challenging repertoire of modern and classic jazz, as well as originals written by the director. This highly selective ensemble is open by audition to undergraduate and graduate students in all majors.

Centre Dimensions Jazz Ensemble Credit: Cody GoddardAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated March 11, 2014