The Louisiana Tech Jazz Ensemble will present its winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 in Howard Auditorium. Under the direction of Lawrence Gibbs, associate professor of music at Tech, the performance will include an array of jazz music, from early swing to the latest rock and funk. “We play a wide variety of styles and are covering over an 80 year span of jazz history during this concert,” Gibbs said. “The Big Bands were very popular during WW II during the Swing Era in jazz history. In recent years, this music has found a larger audience that has been supported by the university jazz bands throughout the United States helping to keep this music alive.” Dr. Cain Budds, guitar professor at Tech, will be guest artist. The Jazz Ensemble is made up of university students who have passion for jazz. Last year, the Jazz Ensemble was the opening act for Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, which will perform Feb. 14 at Louisiana Tech. “Anyone interested in Big Band Jazz or jazz music in general will enjoy this concert,” Gibbs said. The winter concert is free and open to the public. For more information contact Gibbs at 318-257-5472.