UVI Jazz Ensemble and a Few Friends



The UVI Jazz Ensemble rehearses with some of the nation’s top jazz professionals who just happen to hail from St. Thomas, Dion Parson (UVI’s Artist in Residence), Ron Blake and Reuben Rogers.

The UVI Jazz Ensemble and Dion Parson and Friends play at today’s (Tuesday, Nov. 20)  Thanksgiving Musical Celebration at 5 p.m. at the West Indian Company dock in Havensight Mall on St. Thomas. The Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Joseph H. Francis, Jr., along with Parson, Blake and Rogers will open the show. At 6:30 “Dion Parson and Friends” take over, with Blake on saxophone, Rogers on bass, Roan Creque on piano and Abu on percussion. Lorna Freeman will provide the vocals.



Dion Parson and Friends - Shown are,
from left, Roan Creque, Parson, Ron
Blake and Reuben Rogers.

The show – which is free and open to the public – is part of a monthly concert series Parson has been offering with WICO since August. "It’s a fun, family event,” Parson said. The final concert in the series for 2012 is slated for Dec. 11, which is WICO’s 100th anniversary. He also added that plans are in place to continue the series in 2013.