NORFOLK, Neb. – In a normal year, the Northeast Community College Jazz Machine plans a spring tour that feature a number of locations across up to three states. However, the Coronavirus pandemic has a reduced the number of scheduled stops in 2021.
Kevin McLouth, director of instrumental activities, said they were able to put together a smaller, shorter tour of two days while still following COVID-19 protocols.
“The Jazz Machine program will include several styles of music including gospel, blues, funk, and shuffle. Several soloists will be featured during the program,” McLouth said. “It’s just great for us to get these students out and perform because they really haven’t had a live show this year. We have concentrated on getting them out to some of the closer schools in our 20-county service area for this tour.”
The Jazz Machine will perform at Neligh, Verdigre and Norfolk Catholic high schools on Wed., April 28, and Bloomfield, Creighton and Plainview on Thur., April 29.
Members of the group are: Dani Beyer, Neligh (saxophone); Hunter Celesky, Ceresco (drums); Danny Gubbels, Norfolk (saxophone); Ashlyn Hamilton, Verdigre (saxophone); Micah Judds, Ashland (piano); Chris Laursen, O’Neill (trumpet); Hannah Maslonka, Battle Creek (saxophone); Ethan McCorkle-Deiken, Lincoln (guitar); Guillermo Mendez, Norfolk (trumpet); Malcolm Opoku, Lincoln (bass); Gabe Ramos, Chadron (trumpet); Zayne Ruden, Norfolk (trombone); Nate Ruhrer, Ponca (saxophone); and Levi Suing, Crofton (trombone).
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Members of the Northeast Community College Jazz Machine rehearse for their upcoming spring tour. Due to the pandemic, this year’s tour has been scaled back to six concerts.