Vosbein Magee Big Band Returns to W&L to Present: ‘An American in Paris’ The concert will take place in Wilson Hall, and is free and open to the public.

By Erica Turman
February 1, 2019

The Vosbein Magee Big Band returns to Washington and Lee University to present a concert of newly composed and French-inspired jazz works on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in Wilson Hall. The 16-piece jazz orchestra will perform as a part of the SonoKlect Series. “An American in Paris” will take place in Wilson Hall, and is free and open to the public.

Vosbein, long-time professor of music at W&L, spent two months last year in Paris composing music for this event. Many of the new works were orchestrated to feature specific band members, including saxophonist Tom Artwick, trombonists Tom Lundberg and Tom McKenzie and band co-leader Chris Magee on trumpet. Additionally, the band will perform Magee’s new arrangement of “Manhã de Carnaval” and two originals by saxophonist Greg Moody. Other featured soloists include Ken Hitchcock, John D’Earth, Rick Lillard and Moody.

Magee is an assistant professor of music at the University of Lynchburg, where he teaches trumpet, directs the Jazz Ensemble and teaches courses in arranging, orchestration and jazz history.

Since its inception in 2015, the Vosbein Magee Big Band has been featured each summer on jazz festivals in Salem and Staunton, performing a repertoire of almost 60 titles during that time. Additionally, the band has worked with students in the Washington and Lee University Jazz Ensemble in an annual fall collaboration.