Guest performer Joey Tartell, a professor of trumpet and chair of the brass department at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, performs a solo during the song “Fireshaker” by Maynard Ferguson and Paul McCartney at the WKU Jazz Band’s “Jazz meets Rock and Roll” concert at The Capitol theatre on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The band is led by Dr. Sarah Herbert, director of jazz. (Libby Simpson)
The Capitol Theatre hosted the WKU Jazz Band on Sunday for a live performance.
The WKU Jazz Band brought old rock n roll songs back to life. The performance consisted of songs from bands The Beatles and Radiohead, with other notable rock songs sprinkled in, including “Great Balls of Fire.”
Vocalist Adeleine Johnson performs a solo during the song “Run, Run, Rudolph” by Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks at the WKU Jazz Band’s “Jazz meets Rock and Roll” concert at The Capitol theatre on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (Libby Simpson)Isaiah McFadden, tenor saxophonist, performs a solo during the song “Live and Let Die” by Paul and Linda McCartney at the WKU Jazz Band’s “Jazz meets Rock and Roll” concert at The Capitol theatre on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (Libby Simpson)Dalton Childress, pianist, performs a solo during the song “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead at WKU Jazz Band’s “Jazz meets Rock and Roll” concert at The Capitol theatre on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (Libby Simpson)
Director of WKU Jazz Bands Sarah Herbert said the band has rehearsed the songs for over a month and a half.
“Working with students is my favorite thing to do,” Herbert said. “It’s a highlight of my day every time we rehearse.”
One of the songs performed, “Fireshaker” by Maynard Ferguson and Chris Bryamen, was a last-minute pick given to the band with only two rehearsals left.
The hard work paid off, according to attendee Robbie Jarboe, who said the performance was “a great way to hear these older songs in a new way.”
“I love every single one of these songs,” said Thomas Cole Hammers, lead alto reeds on the jazz band. “I think they’re some of the coolest rock songs that I’ve ever played.”
The Jazz Band is already looking forward to its next performance during the spring semester, Hammers said.
“They (the students) help me remember what’s so fun about music,” Herbert said.
The trombone section performs during the WKU Jazz Band’s “Jazz meets Rock and Roll” concert at The Capitol theatre on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (Libby Simpson)
Libby Simpson is a news reporter and photographer for the Herald. She is a junior double majoring in journalism and photography. Originally from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, this is her third year on the Hill and second year working on the Herald staff.
