Bands to play at Princess

Decatur’s historic Princess Theatre will host Big Band Bash XVIII Thursday (today), April 7, at 7 p.m.
The annual concert features the Austin and Hartselle High School jazz bands and celebrates the Year of Alabama Music.
The event has become a tradition at the Princess, staging big bands performing together to showcase talented musicians in Alabama. It was started by the late musician Paul Stroud and friends and is a tribute to the rich heritage of big band music. The programming is coordinated by Tommy Davis, assistant principal at Cedar Ridge Middle School in Decatur.
Both Austin and Hartselle High bands will perform in full sets of classic big band music from the 1930s and 1940s as well as current jazz selections.
The Austin band was formed in 1965 under the direction of William Brunner. It has since grown and become one of the premier instrumental music programs in the state. The jazz band is currently directed by Clay Sloan.
It provides students with an appreciation and understanding of jazz history as well as the skills necessary for jazz performance.  Its members have been selected for membership in the Alabama All-State Jazz Band and have participated in numerous jazz clinics and camps throughout the southeastern United States.
Hartselle’s jazz band prides itself in being an exciting, entertaining show band that appeals to all ages. The group performs at many school and civic functions during the school year and serves as a public relations organization for the school system. Its members meet on a voluntary basis and rehearse twice a week. Band director Randall key directs the band.
Reserved tickets are $17, $15 and $11. They may be purchased online at princess theatre.org or at the Princess Box Office. For more information, call 256-340-1778 or visit www.princesstheatre.org.ɍ