Pittsburg Virtual Festival continues

In the third concert of Pittsburg Virtual Festival of the Arts, to be streamed at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, some of the area’s most talented musicians will perform selections from “The Great American Songbook” and other jazz standards.

The festival is a collaboration of The Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, the Pittsburg State University Department of Music, and local performers in an attempt to provide a concert-like experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The featured group on July 15 will be the Bob Ensor Jazz Combo. Musicians will include:

* Pittsburg State University trumpet professor Todd Hastings
* Joplin-based vocalist Rebecca Ensor
* Carthage High School band teacher and PSU graduate Matt Bennett on saxophone
* Joplin native Josh Newbury on bass
* East Newton High School music teacher Raemon Wilson on drums
* Joplin-based pianist and PSU graduate Robert Ensor on the Steinway

“Some say jazz is America’s only true art form,” noted Raul Munguía, festival organizer. “In 1987, Congress passed a resolution declaring it an American National Treasure. We’re excited to bring it to life as part of this festival.”

Audiences may view the one-hour concerts streamed each Wednesday evening through mid-August on the Bicknell Center Facebook page, on PSU’s YouTube channel, on CAPS 13 TV, on pittstate.tv, and at www.vimeo.com/pittstate.

Past festival concerts, including The J3 Band on July 1 and Rebecca Cutler-Metzger and Robert Ensor on July 8, also can be viewed in the archives on those channels.