Modern pop, indie and rock music can easily be tweaked and changed into swinging jazz ballads. Sure, it was cheesy when Paul Anka recorded (and sold?) his 2005 album, Rock Swings, which contained a jazz rendition of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." But while you were cringing as the song's "dulcet" tones flowed into your ears, you probably chuckled at least once, right?
Hear University of Kansas Jazz Ensembles 1, 2 and 3 perform jazz-infused interpretations of other modern musicians such as Bjork, Radiohead and Steely Dan for free at 7:30 p.m. May 4 at the Lawrence Arts Center (940 New Hampshire).
The arrangements and interpretations of the songs included in the performance were created by Professor Dan Gailey, Steve Owen, Fred Sturm, James Miley, Matt Moresi, and KU student Steve Sharp.
