Jackson State University's Department of Music sponsors "Jazz on the Plaza" from 6-11 p.m. Friday, April 25 on the Gibbs-Green Plaza.
"This is one of our most exciting events of the year," said Russell Thomas Jr., professor of music and director of jazz education at Jackson State. "We are taking our music programming from the concert hall to the outside. We're taking it to the people."
If last year's attendance was any indication, music lovers really enjoyed themselves. Nearly 400 people participated.
"We had students listening from the windows of the residence halls. Faculty and staff members came. The general community came," Thomas added. "We even had high school students from Grenada."
This year's program will feature the Jackson State University Jazz Ensembles I, II and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Highlighting more than jazz, Eddie Cotton will bring in the blues. The Jackson State alumnus began playing guitar in his father's church, but he honed his skills as a member of Jazz Ensemble I. "I was already playing, but I didn't know what I was playing," said Cotton who majored in music theory. "The music classes taught me a lot."
Cotton is now leader of Eddie Cotton and the Mississippi Cotton Club.
Admission is free. Music lovers need only to bring their lawn chairs or blankets.
