Kirkwood's April 21 jazz concert features Jerry Hahn

Kirkwood Community College is hosting a jazz concert and workshop Saturday, April 21, featuring professional jazz guitarist Jerry Hahn.

The workshop will begin at 1 p.m. and the concert will follow at 7:30 p.m. in Ballantyne Auditorium. The performance also will be broadcast live by KCCK Jazz 88.3.

Music will be performed by the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and the Cedar Rapids Jazz Big Band.

Hahn, the guest artist,  began playing professionally at age 11. He has recorded numerous albums and, according to jazz authority Joachim Berendt, was integral in initiating the Jazz Fusion movement. Hahn also has written a monthly column for Guitar Player magazine and wrote the book “Complete Jerry Hahn Method for Jazz Guitar.”

The concert will contain a wide variety of influences and styles. “The music will capture the gambit,  from purist to more contemporary,” said Timothy Feldkamp, professor of instrumental music and director of the ensembles.

According to Feldkamp, the song selection draws from sources such as Latin music, European classical, the big-band era and rock fusion.  For example, Feldkamp described one of the pieces that will be performed, Gordon Goodwin’s “Hunting Rabbits,” as a mix of both big band and European classical.

Before the concert Hahn will conduct a jazz workshop that will be free and open to the public. At the program Hahn will explain different musical skills and techniques that make jazz unique, such as improv and rhythm sections. He also will provide demonstrations to help better illustrate his points, Feldkamp said.

“It will be a great program, not just for students, but for the entire Cedar Rapids community,” Feldkamp said.

Tickets will be free to Kirkwood students, faculty and staff with valid ID. Otherwise, the cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets will be available at the door.