ABERDEEN, S.D. - Northern State University¡¯s Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE) will offer an evening of sweet jazz, featuring coffee and desserts on Thursday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the NSU Student Center Centennial Room.

NSU music professor Fred Hemke will be a guest performer at the event. His skills on the saxophone will be featured in several songs throughout the performance.

Members of the VJE include Brandon Barrett of Britton; Lexi Becht of Clear Lake; Tyler Beck of Leola; Shelby Glover of Sioux Falls; Andrew Holt of Aberdeen; Michael Lytle of Rapid City; Sal Scavo of Hightstown, N.J.; Tanner Schabot-Shultis of Aberdeen; Joanna Schleich of Mitchell; Elsa Swanson of Chaska, Minn.; Taylor Wall of Breckinridge, Minn. and Erin Wolter of Frederick.

The VJE is directed by NSU music faculty member Dr. Wendy van Gent, with Ron Parker as the assistant director/accompanist.

VJE will perform a wide variety of jazz music, featuring songs such as ¡°Sweet Jazz,¡± which was commissioned especially for the ensemble by van Gent¡¯s son, Gordon van Gent. Other songs include: ¡°Bridge Over Troubled Water,¡± ¡°All of Me,¡± ¡°Frim Fram Sauce,¡± ¡°In My Life,¡± ¡°It¡¯s Only a Paper Moon,¡± ¡°Route 66,¡± along with a few surprises.

¡°Once again, local artist, Betty Sheldon will be on hand to create a painting spontaneously inspired by the music and atmosphere of the evening. The painting will be awarded to the highest bidder before the end of the evening,¡± mentioned van Gent.

Tickets for the event are $5 for non-NSU students and free for NSU students. All tickets will be sold at the door.

For more information about the Vocal Jazz Ensemble or Sweet Jazz, please contact van Gent at wendy.vangent@northern.edu.

About Northern State University

Northern State University offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. To learn more about NSU, visit NSU Admissions.