U of M Jazz Singers Perform Gershwin Bros. Classics.

The University of Memphis Jazz Singers performed at the Harris Concert Hall on Nov. 22, with a show themed around the musical works of the composer brothers, Ira and George Gershwin.

The Gershwin brothers were a famous songwriting and composing duo known mostly for their work in the worlds of Hollywood and Broadway from 1924 until George's death in 1937. Together, the brothers composed over two dozen scores. Decades after their original release, during the Jazz Age, many of their songs are still recognized as jazz staples.

The nine songs selected for the show are considered to be some of the most famous of the Gershwins' compositions, including "Fascinating Rhythm," the song that brother and sister dance duo Fred and Adele Astaire performed in the 1924 musical, Lady, Be Good, and the improvisational piece "I Got Rhythm," which served as the closing number to the Jazz Singers' performance.

For Director of Jazz Studies Jack Cooper, ensuring the Singers learned the Gershwins' music was an important priority.

"It's especially true that these singers need to learn that repertoire. If I didn't have them do this, then they wouldn't have an opportunity to do that music. It's our responsibility with this group to do Gershwin," Cooper said.

However, the Jazz Singers aren't just a performing group. They are also a class that meets for two hours twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday.

"It's a lot of work. We have very limited time. We've got a lot of solos and ensemble things, especially the ensemble things where they sing by themselves without a rhythm section. That's not easy stuff, but they do a really good job," Cooper said.

Soloist Karoline Larsen echoed Cooper's sentiments when it came to the work that is put into these performances.

"It was pretty rigorous, the process of learning everything. There's a lot of sightreading involved. We all have to keep our sightreading skills. Learning the solos, in particular, were pretty difficult, as they're all learned by rote, so that's a little difficult, but it's definitely a fun process," Larsen said.

The next jazz performance will be Monday, Nov. 28.