Jazz concert honors memory of deceased band member

By: Mandi West

On Wednesday night the Utah State University jazz ensemble and jazz orchestra honored a fellow trumpet player named Eric Anderson who passed away Aug. 26 due to a biking accident.

The Jazz Big Bands program was held at the Manon Caine Russell Kathryn Wanlass Performance Hall. Greg Wheeler, director of the USU jazz ensemble, took time to remind the audience of the past band member Anderson.

“We lost a talented member of our family earlier this fall,” Wheeler said. “We would like to dedicate our work to him and play to remember him.”

Wheeler also told the audience that members and friends of the department were selling bracelets out in the hall to help raise money for the Anderson family. Those who were interested in helping could go talk to them.

Many still have a hard time realizing that Eric is gone. Fellow trumpet player Thomas Christensen said that it was really hard to lose a friend and band mate.

“Eric was a great player,” Christensen said. “I always had fun practicing and jamming with him. I will always remember him as the happy kid who loved to play.”

The night consisted of many special guests including tenor saxophonist Sandon Mayhew and USU faculty members Corey Christiansen and Jason Nicholson. The event featured music from Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, England and Germany. Almost every seat was accounted for in the building.

“We are all going to make tonight a fun time filled with great jazz to help honor the memory of Eric,” Wheeler said.