Pacific Lutheran University

The summer concerts begin on July 12 and occur weekly through August 16. Concerts take place every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Mary Baker Russell Amphitheater. The concerts are free and open to the public.

Starbucks Coffee Company will provide free coffee and complimentary star charts will be distributed at each performance. Traditionally, stargazing opportunities are available after each performance at W.M. Keck Observatory. The observatory will be closed for the first half of the concert series, but should open later in the summer.

This year’s lineup includes:

• July 12, Jovino Santos Neto: Brazilian pianist, flutist and composer Jovino Santos Neto obscures the barriers between classical music, jazz and indigenous Brazilian music. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he is now based in Seattle and teaches at the Cornish College of the Arts. He has been nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards, most recently for his 2006 album “Roda Carioca.” He also received the Golden Ear Award for the Best Jazz Instrumentalist of the Pacific Northwest in 2004.


• July 19, Bill Anschell: Seattle pianist Bill Anschell spent 25 years studying, composing and performing around the world, returning to his hometown in 2002. He received a Golden Ear Award for the Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year in 2005, and his trio was named the Best Northwest Acoustic Jazz Ensemble in 2006.


• July 26, Emerald City Jazz Orchestra: The Emerald City Jazz Orchestra is a modern big band made up of Seattle’s top young musicians. The group performs the arrangements of saxophonist Matso Limtiaco. The group most recently released “Come Rain or Come Shine” in November 2005.


• August 2, Trombanga: Trombanga is a nine-piece Puget Sound trombone band specializing in Latin jazz, salsa, meringue and cha cha music. The group’s name means “heavy trombones” in slang Spanish, and they create their unique sound through four trombones and a Latin rhythm section.


• August 9, Ben Thomas: Seattle vibraphonist Ben Thomas combines an energetic performance technique with an advanced compositional style. His current projects span jazz, salsa, swing and chamber music.


• August 16, Native Blue: Native Blue is a six-piece instrumental jazz group comprised of a trumpet, saxophone, trombone, piano, bass and drums. The group performs timeless jazz, progressive jazz and classic funk-rock hits.

Jazz Under the Stars is co-sponsored by PLU Summer Sessions, PLU’s Department of Music, 88.5 KPLU-FM, Prosser Piano Company and Starbucks Coffee Company. For more information about the performances, call the music department at ext. 7602.