Novel Jazz plays Ellington, Strayhorn at UMA Oct. 29

AUGUSTA — The Concerts at Jewett Series sponsored by University of Maine at Augusta College of Arts and Sciences and UMA Senior College will feature Novel Jazz in “Duke & Swee’Pea – Love You Madly” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 at UMA Jewett Hall Auditorium.
Led by Barney Balch, the seven-piece jazz band, with members from all over Maine, will present its specialty: the music and history of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.

Balch has transcribed some of their lesser known gems with an aim to reinterpret them with a 21st century sound. This is the band’s 13th year of playing this music, with the goal of keeping jazz alive in the state, according to a news release from UMA.
For ticket or other information, visit www.concertsatjewett.com. The next concert is is pianist and composer Paul Sullivan, at 2 p.m. Sunday Nov. 19.