The College of the Canyons music department will present the concert event JAZZ IT! featuring the premiere of two pieces arranged by longtime COC jazz professor Dirk Fischer, who passed away in February. The JAZZ IT! spring concert will take place Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage of the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center (PAC) at College of the Canyons.

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The evening will include a selection of popular music performed by the award-winning College of the Canyons Studio Jazz Ensemble and student Jazz Lab band, which will perform under the direction of COC music director KC Manji. The concert will also feature a special solo performance by COC music instructor and upright bass player Jeff Takiguchi, who will be premiering the piece “Bow to No One” which was written and arranged by Fischer, in the final weeks preceding his death.

“What’s especially unique about this piece is that Dirk wrote it specifically for Jeff, who is an upright bass player — and we don’t usually see those in jazz,” said Manji. “But Dirk’s work composing new and unique pieces of music continued right up until he died.”

The Jazz Ensemble will also perform the original piece “You Are Here,” written by local resident Marty Baxter, and subsequently arranged by Fischer into a big band format composition.

“I’m really excited to hear both of these premiere performances, and know that Dirk’s spirit will be with us on stage all evening,” said Manji. “This event promises to be an exciting start to our spring concert season.”

General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for COC students and senior citizens. For more information or to purchase tickets for JAZZ IT!, contact the PAC Box Office at (661) 362-5304 or visit www.CanyonsPAC.com.

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