The NIU Jazz Lab Band and University Jazz Band will perform their first concert of the 2008-2009 year tonight at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.

Under the direction of Rodrigo Villanueva, Pat Terbrack and Larry Brown, the concert will be filled with an eclectic mix of jazz and big band pieces.

Pieces from notable jazz composers such as Duke Ellington, Neil Hefti and Thad Jones will be featured, among others.

The NIU Jazz Lab Band is comprised of numerous freshman, three graduate students and four Latin American students, a talented group which Villanueva calls a “dream team.”

“This ensemble has some of the most energetic, talented, diverse and disciplined students I have ever coached,” Villanueva said.

Last Spring, the NIU Jazz Lab Band won first place at the first UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival.

The band will also travel later in the semester to play the JazzUV Fest ’08 in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and the LaSalle/Peru Jazz Festival.

The show is free, open to the public and will start at 8:00 p.m.