Rhythms of jazz and New Age music will pulsate at the Music Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall as the Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble from Sweden performs at 8 p.m. today.

The Global Percussion Network, directed by Anders Astrand, will accompany the ensemble on its second tour of the United States and its first trip to NIU.

The ensemble’s official American debut was Sunday at St. Peter’s on the Loop Catholic Church in Chicago.

Erik Westberg, professor of choral activities at the University of Music in Pitea, Sweden, founded the ensemble and has been its conductor for the past 10 years.

The 16 professional singers of the choir have toured Tonga, China, South America and most of Europe. In addition to its debut concert in Illinois, the ensemble also will perform concerts in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Twentieth-century Scandinavian choral music and the Global Percussion Network will combine to create a focus on Swedish music extending from the Romantic period to more recent work, according to a press release. The Global Percussion Network also will contribute a solo composed by Astrand titled “Night Time.”

“Their musical offerings and their coming together will present an amazing evening of diverse music,” said Eric Johnson, director of choral activities at the NIU School of Music.

The concert is free and will last about an hour and a half with an intermission, said Lynn Slater, coordinator of admissions and public relations for the School of Music. No reservations are needed, and the doors will open at 7:45 p.m., she said.

Free parking is available on the south side of the Music Building.

“We hope we have a good size crowd. This is a very popular group,” Slater said.