The Bridge

This is just a quick note to tell you that Rod Neis, who records the AKAA Reunion concerts each summer, sends word that CDs from the 2008 AKAA reunion have shipped. If you’ve already placed an order, you should expect to receive your CD(s) soon. If you didn’t get a chance to order this summer, an order form will also appear in next month’s issue of The Bridge (the AKAA Newsletter).

Auburn Knights Orchestra alumnus Sonny Harris has been selected for induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on September 26, 2008 at Brock Hall, Wright Center, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. The time is 6:30 p.m. for the reception and 7:30 p.m. for the program. Tickets are $35 each. Reserved seats are available for those who wish to order tickets via credit card or check to:

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
1631 4th Ave. North
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 254-2731 ext. 21

Tickets will also be available at the door.

Brock Hall is the home of SuperJazz Band, Birmingham’s premier big band, which has featured Sonny Harris since its inception in the 70′s. This band performs four concerts each year. Acoustics are very good at Brock hall, and seating accomodates 300.

Sonny’s nomination is well overdue, and it’s hoped that some Auburn Knights will be able to attend this ceremony!

The June 2008 issue of The Bridge, the newsletter of the Auburn Knights Alumni Association, is now available for download as a PDF. The print edition will go to press this week and should be mailed to all AKAA members within the next few weeks.

The 4th annual Bob Richardson Memorial Jazz Concert will be held Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Auburn University Goodwin Music Building. The Guest Artist will be J. Hatch, jazz pianist from Germany. Sonny Harris, drummer from Birmingham, is part of the jazz trio along with Robert Dickson, bassist from Atlanta, Georgia. There will also be a special appearance by Gary Wheat, saxophonist from Birmingham.

This event honors the former Director of the Jazz Studies Program at Auburn University, Bob Richardson, who died in 1992. This concert’s purpose is to honor Bob through the music of his now mature students, to support working jazz musicians and live jazz performance, and to bring a cultural event to the Auburn Community.

The concert will take place at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students with ID. For more information, phone (334) 844-8363 or (334) 750-8697.

The Auburn Knights Orchestra will be hosting a swing dance on Sunday afternoon, June 1, from 2:15 pm until 5:15 pm, at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. This event is open to the public and all Auburn Knights alumni are encouraged to attend and show their support for the current band!

The March 2008 issue of The Bridge, the newsletter of the Auburn Knights Alumni Association, is now available for download as a PDF. The print edition will go to press this week and should be mailed to all AKAA members within the next few weeks.

The Auburn Knights Orchestra will be performing at the January 13th concert and jam session for the Columbus Jazz Society. The ticket price is $7 and you may sign up for an annual membership at the door. For more information phone (706) 689-0303 or (706) 587-7769.

The Columbus Jazz Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of this great American art form. They hold a concert and jam session the 2nd Sunday of every month from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Center in Columbus, GA.

As part of the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation “Sundown at Kiesel Park” concert series, the Auburn Knights Orchestra will perform the final concert of the series on Friday, October 26, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Come support local jazz in the Auburn area. The concert is free and open to the public. CD’s will be on sale and donations will be accepted.

Remember to bring a blanket or lawn chairs as seating will not be provided. Also bring a snack or pack a picnic dinner and feel free to enjoy it while you hear some great swing and jazz!

The program will feature vocalist Chris Kelsey in his premiere performance with the Auburn Knights!

For more information, contact Business Manager Stuart Ivey at iveystu@auburn.edu.

The October 2007 issue of The Bridge, the newsletter of the Auburn Knights Alumni Association, is now available for download as a PDF. The print edition will go to press this week and should be mailed to all AKAA members within the next few weeks.

The minutes of this summer’s AKAA board meeting (as well as the general membership meeting’s minutes) can be viewed here.