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Jimmy Simmons sits in a chair with his instrument.
The Lamar University Alumni Jazz Concert featuring Alumni Big Band and special guest Jimmy Simmons will premier at the Downtown Event Centre on Sunday, Nov. 14, starting at 4 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
The Lamar University Alumni Big Band is made of music educators and professionals from around the state who were music students at Lamar over the last 40-plus years. All were members of the Lamar Jazz Band under the direction of the late Dr. Wayne Dyess or the current director, Rick Condit. The group will be led by former Lamar University President, Dr. James M. “Jimmy” Simmons, who began his career at Lamar in the early 1970s as Assistant Band Director and leader of the Jazz Ensemble. An avid jazz fan and accomplished saxophonist and pianist himself, Dr. Simmons continued to mentor music students throughout his entire career.
The concert will be opened by the Lamar Cardinal Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Rick Condit, and serves as the culmination of Homecoming weekend. For more information on the full LU Homecoming schedule, visit lamar.edu/homecoming.