UIC student musicians make Jazz Fest debut

The 17-member UIC Jazz Ensemble played to a full house in the Young Lions tent of the Chicago Jazz Festival Aug. 31.

Under the direction of Andy Baker, director of jazz studies, the group performed a polished rendition of the eight-movement “Sweet Time Suite” by composer Kenny Wheeler. Shaun Johnson, a May 2014 grad, soloed on flugelhorn with vocalist Cheryl Wilson.

“This was a tremendous opportunity for the band and a great learning experience,” Baker said after the performance. “It seemed like it went over very well indeed.”

The piece appears on the group’s second CD, titled “Walkin’ About,” available for sale on CDbaby.com