From New York City to Oklahoma City, saxophonist Miguel Correa is now directing two student jazz bands on campus.

Jazz fans will have their first opportunity to critique his work when the ensembles perform in concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, in the Bruce Owen Theater.

Correa is standing in for Professor Michael Boyle, who is working with the campus musical in production this semester.

Correa said this is his first semester to teach the jazz bands.

“I’ve been a featured guest saxophonist for the past couple of years so I’ve played in a bunch of the jazz bands’ concerts on campus and have gotten to know them before this,” Correa said.

Correa said he heard about the OCCC jazz groups from his saxophone teacher.

“I went out to the campus and was instantly amazed,” he said.

Correa said the concert will be worthwhile for many reasons.

“It’s free, it’s here, and it’s fun,” he said.

The concert will feature two different bands and should last a little over an hour.

One band includes vocalists Scott Whitehead and Nicole Pearce. This group practices on Mondays.

“We have them trade off between tunes, and we’re going to include some duets also,” Correa said.

The Wednesday band is more of an instrumental classic jazz ensemble that features guitar players and bass players.

“I myself play saxophone and keys for the band,” Correa said.

Other performers will be students Zach Lebo on bass and Steve Silver on guitar.

“We’ve got a couple of other students who have been showing up to rehearsals more recently so we are going to work them in as well,” Correa said.

Students can look forward to hearing popular tunes from artists such as Alicia Keys and Adam Lambert, as well as traditional jazz music.

Along with leading the jazz ensembles, Correa also teaches courses in world music and music appreciation at the college.

For more information about the jazz ensembles contact Miguel Correa by email at miguel.a.correa@email.occc.edu.

To contact Paris Burris, email onlineeditor@occc.edu.