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NOLA Sound Jazzes Up SMC Fall Band Concert
Published on November 10, 2025 - 4 p.m.
A jazzy New Orleans entrance by bead-dripping horn players parting the Dale A. Lyons Building theatre shot electricity through the Nov. 7 audience like Saints Marching In.
“Bayou Breakdown,” Southwestern Michigan College’s fall band concert, featuring the Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Bands under the baton of Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth, brought Bourbon Street in the Crescent City to the Grand Old City of Dowagiac.
Jazz Ensemble’s “Mudbug Strut” featured Andrew Culver of Three Rivers on alto saxophone, Lauren Lovell of Watervliet on clarinet, Hunter Hurley of Marcellus on trombone, Brayden Rice of Cassopolis on trumpet and Hector Salguero of Watervliet on sousaphone.
“Moten Swing” spotlighted Eileen Perez of Fennville on piano, Joe Rizzo of Niles Brandywine on tenor saxophone and Alexis Holtz of Three Rivers and Madison Packer of Lawton on trumpets.
“Struttin’ with Some Barbecue” contained solos by Rizzo and Sam Crago of Watervliet on trombone.
Rizzo was also featured on Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue,” as was Anthony Martinez of Fennville on trumpet.
“Crescent City Stomp” closed out the first set, with Culver, Chris Chapman of South Bend on guitar and Eliza Embil of Three Rivers on drums.
The Symphonic Band took the stage after intermission with “Here’s to Thee” the SMC alma mater, joined by choir members.
The band also performed “Cajun Folk Songs” and “Bayou Breakdown.”
Earlier in the day, the bands and choirs performed in the theatre for donors and college staff as the Founders Day finale.
