Jazz band, steel pan orchestra, gamelan orchestra wrap up semester

Three musical ensembles featuring Bates students will perform Dec. 5, 6 and 8 in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall, 75 Russell St.

Led by Tom Snow, the Bates Jazz Band performs a diverse array of styles at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5. The band will offer jazz, Latin jazz, and blues by composers Cole Porter, Billy Strayhorn, Kenny Durham, Thelonious Monk and others. Snow is well-known in Maine and beyond as a jazz pianist.

Erica Butler directs the Bates Steel Pan Orchestra in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. The program consists of “Got a Little Something for You” by Artiguan musician King Obstinate; Rihanna’s “Disturbia”; Bryan Adams’ “We’re In Heaven”; and the Blondie classic “Heart of Glass.” Butler performed for many years with the Atlantic Clarion Steel Band.

The Bates Gamelan Orchestra, directed by Peter Steele, performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Two guest artists will share the stage with the orchestra: I Dewa Made Suparta will perform Balinese masked dances and direct the ensemble on Balinese drums. Shoko Yamamuro will perform as a guest dancer.

The concert will feature new and traditional works, including the full version of “Mornings Well Augured,” which Steele, a visiting instructor in music, composed for the recent inauguration of Bates President Clayton Spencer.

The three concerts are open to the public at no cost, but tickets are required. For more information, please contact 207-786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu.