FREE FOR ALL: Greg Johnson, right, will be the featured performer in Monday's jazz concert. - EOU Advancement/LAURA HANCOCK

LA GRANDE – The Eastern Oregon University Jazz Combo’s annual fall concert will feature guest saxophonist Greg Johnson of La Grande.

The concert is Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Schwarz Theatre in Loso Hall.

Johnson will appear on the tenor and alto saxophone. A graduate

of North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas),

Johnson was a member of the famous One O’Clock Band while a student.

“Greg will augment the group with his soulful,

blues-drenched saxophone sound,” said Matt Cooper, professor of music

and director of the EOU Jazz Combo. “And he also brings the benefit of

his experience with a first-rate jazz program, as well as his years of

experience as a professional musician.

“Our saxophone students in particular will benefit from playing

alongside a performer of his caliber,” Cooper added, “and his solos

will inspire the whole band with new ideas.”

Since moving to Eastern Oregon, Johnson has emerged on the

local music scene, performing frequently with Jimmy Lloyd Rae, Al

MacLeod and the Silencers and other groups. He also owns a business,

Benjamin Brown Books and Billards, in downtown La Grande.

The EOU Jazz Combo is an all-student ensemble with two saxophones, vibes, guitar, bass, piano and drums.

“This year’s group features several talented new and transfer

students and a high-energy rhythm section,” Cooper said. “And this is

the first time we have presented a jazz concert in the more intimate

space of the Schwarz Theatre, which we hope will feel more like an

evening at a loft or nightclub rather than a theatre.”

The concert includes a lineup of mainstream jazz standards by

Lee Morgan, Horace Silver, Charlie Parker, McCoy Tyner, Benny Goodman

and Charlie Christian. Two jazz originals by Eugene guitarist Michael

Denny are also on the program. Denny is a recording artist on the

Origin record label and a member of the jazz studies faculty at the

University of Oregon’s School of Music.

Admission to the concert is free and donations will be

accepted at the door to benefit the EOU Jazz Combo. Stick around for a

special “meet the artists” reception in the Green Room backstage after

the concert with refreshments provided by ARAMARK.

For more information call Matt Cooper at 962-3559.