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Java Jazz 2025

Bell Cultural Events Center

Bell Cultural Events Center
November 18-19, 2025
7:30 PM

MidAmerica Nazarene University
Jazz Ensemble
Mr. Doug Talley, Director
MNU Jazz Ensemble

Dat Dere
Bobby Timmons
arr. Erik Morales

Sage Adam, alto saxophone

Lulu’s Back in Town
Harry Warren
arr. Jack Cooper

Collin Downey, trombone;
Peter Vessey, tenor saxophone

Work Song
Nat Adderly
arr. Erik Morales

Sage Adam, alto saxophone;
Grace Stroh, trumpet

Alamode
Curtis Fuller
arr. Paul Murtha

Darby Kelley, trumpet;
Christopher Winton, trombone;
Peter Vessey, tenor saxophone;
Lacey Buxton, baritone saxophone

I Got Rhythm
George and Ira Gershwin
arr. Dave Wolpe

Collin Downey, trombone

Always and Forever
Pat Metheny
arr. Bob Curnow

Sage Adam, alto saxophone

Mamacita
Joe Henderson
arr. Alan Baylock

Sage Adam, alto saxophone;
Evelyn Adam, trumpet;
Lacey Buxton, baritone saxophone;
Collin Downey, trombone;
Peter Vessey, tenor saxophone

Now’s the Time
Charlie Parker
arr. Mark Taylor

Asa Light, tenor saxophone;
Zoe Harding, alto saxophone;
Christopher Winton, trombone;
Matthew Barber, trumpet;
Camden Acheson, vibraphone;
Peter Vessey, tenor saxophone

 

MNU JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Alto Saxophone
Sage Adam
Zoe Harding

Tenor Saxophone
Peter Vessey
Asa Light

Baritone Saxophone
Lacey Buxton

Trumpet
Evelyn Adam
Grace Stroh
Darby Kelley
Matthew Barber

Trombone
Collin Downey
Christopher Winton
Alexis Wood
Joshua Haughey

Piano
Naomi Lamer
Hudson Slayden

Bass
Michael Coleman
Emanuel Escobar

Drumset/Percussion
Camden Acheson
Carlos Olivas
Malachi Wasson

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.