Feb 13, 2014
Sparky Koerner, jazz musician

With signature flair, trumpeter and College of the Mainland Fine Arts Department chair Sparky Koerner, along with the Brazosport Jazz Orchestra, provided the back up for actress and jazz singer Molly Ringwald in her recent Lake Jackson performance. “An Evening With Molly Ringwald” delighted the audience at the Clarion Performing Arts Center on the Brazosport College campus with selections from Ringwald’s recently released jazz album.

Famous for films such as “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” Ringwald now indulges her passion for jazz. This was her first performance accompanied by a 17-piece big band.

“Molly sang to a full house, and it was a fun and exciting musical evening,” said Koerner.

An accomplished trumpeter, Koerner regularly performs with Sparky’s Jazz Express, the Galveston Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Sunday.

Koerner also directs the COM Jazz Ensemble and COM Jazz Combos as well as the COM Concert Band, which are open to musicians in the community. The jazz groups have won honors at festivals throughout the state of Texas, and the COM Jazz Ensemble has performed to acclaim in 2010 and 2013 at the Jazz Educators Network Conference.

For more information about joining an ensemble or enjoying an upcoming jazz performance at COM, visit www.com.edu/music or call 409-933-8348.