Alumni of jazz ensemble to give concert honoring New Bern High music director

Alumni of New Bern High School's jazz ensemble are getting together Sunday night for a free concert.

Mark Whitfield, a rising junior at N.C. State University, said he and 14 other members of the jazz ensemble graduates from 2002 to 2007 wanted to get the concert together to honor the high school music director, Alexander Williams.

"We want to pay tribute to him," Whitfield said. "He should have the credit due him for all he has done. Without his guidance none of us would be pursuing a music career."

Whitfield went to State intending to have an engineering career. He didn't care for that path. State soon began offering a music program and he is changing his major.

He said the 7 p.m. show will open with the present members of the high school jazz ensemble performing.

The opening act will follow with the alumni performing classic jazz such as "Take the A Train," and "Little Brown Jug," then the group will play some funk, he said.

He said the musical selections will offer something for all age groups and every jazz taste.

The concert is at Orringer Auditorium on the campus of Craven Community College.