The University of Hawai’i at Hilo’s Jazz Orchestra will present its bi-annual concert over two days in May, featuring “The Return of the Blues Brothers” in their tribute concert.
On Wednesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 5, UH-Hilo Jazz Orchestra students will take the stage at the school’s Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.
Concert-goers can expect popular songs from the 1980 Blues Brothers movie and favorites from the group’s albums and Saturday Night Live appearances.
“The original Blues Brothers band featured some of the country’s greatest R&B musicians playing some of the greatest R&B songs ever written,” said Trever Veilleux, UH-Hilo Musical Director. “On top of that, you had two incredible comedic actors bringing fun, humor, and theatricality to the performances. That combination creates a show that has simultaneous artistic depth and light-hearted entertainment. It’s the perfect vehicle for the Jazz Orchestra!”
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UH-Hilo Performing Arts Major Scott Wuscher and UH-Hilo Performing Arts graduate Luke Kohen will star in the roles of “Joliet” Jake and Elwood Blues.
In addition, UH-Hilo graduates Lilinoe Kauahikaua and Ka`ikena Scanlan and UH-Hilo Jazz Orchestra members Joshua Timmons and Mayumi Long will be featured vocalists.
“We are so fortunate to have this incredible pool of talented young performers to work with on these shows” said Veilleux. “Scott and Luke, our Blues Brothers, have that rare combination of being excellent singers and dancers who can also act. They are capable of bringing out the inherent humor in the show while at same time, singing the heck out of these classic American songs.”
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The shows will also feature dancers, with choreography done by Dori Yamada.
“I really love doing these shows with Trever,” Yamada said. “He is such a great leader, the audiences are fantastic, and the band is off the charts. The dancers have been instrumental in contributing choreography, energy, and passion into all the numbers that they are a part of, and I’m really blessed to work with such great people. We hope that what we bring to the show enhances the experience for the audience.”
The event is open seating. Tickets are $10 general, $7 discount, $5 student with a valid ID, and children up to 17 years old.
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Tickets can be purchased at the UH-Hilo Box Office or online at the PAC website.
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The University of Hawai’i at Hilo’s Jazz Orchestra will present its bi-annual concert over two days in May, featuring “The Return of the Blues Brothers” in their tribute concert.
