Jazz band kicks off summer concert series | Arts & Culture

Summer offers many things you can always count on: hot temperatures, mosquitoes, and summer concerts at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library.  The concert series kicks off Tuesday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by the Paragould High School Jazz Band.

The hour long concert will feature 20 to 25 9th through 12th grade students who are part of the band.  Pride Band Director Richie Williams said the band performs all across Paragould, including all of the schools in the district, as well as at the Lion’s Club and at Kiwanis Club meetings.

He says the students are looking forward to the performance at the library, “You never turn down an opportunity to showcase your students, their talents and their hard work.  Even though we are out of school May 23rd, everyone was looking forward to this opportunity.” 

Williams says all of the members of the Paragould Jazz Band are required to audition for the Regional Jazz Honor Band.  More than a dozen students qualified.  Williams said this makes the Paragould Jazz Band one of the top leaders in this area.

The band plans to play music from the 20s up to the 70s.  Their popular renditions include “Jump, Jive, and Wail;” “Sing, Sing, Sing;” “Feels So Good” and many others. 

The concert series is sponsored by Andy’s Frozen Custard.  In addition to sponsoring the concerts, Andy’s will also give away free cups of frozen custard. 

Some chairs will be set up, but concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Summer Concert Series:

• June 5: Paragould High School Jazz Band
• June 12: Ashley McBryde
• June 19: Everyday Life
• June 26: Vikki McGee