The University of Iowa’s Jazz Series brings West African elements to a show today at the Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., featuring student ensembles and collaborations with professors from the jazz program.

The World Beat Ensemble will begin at 6 p.m. Latin Jazz Ensemble will play at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for nonstudents, $3 for students.

"They are different but share strong rhythmic sensibilities that come from West African drumming heritage," said James Dreier, the director of the groups and a lecturer in jazz studies at the UI. "They have different roots but make a good combination to play together in a concert."

Dreier said World Beat is a newer group that is open to all UI students; it has 12 members. He said it is a very inclusive group that learns everything by ear from the actual recorded music. The musicians play a lot of percussion including horns, piano based drums, and flute.

The Latin Jazz ensemble is considered one of the premier jazz groups at the UI. It has recorded four CD and also performs outreach concerts throughout the state. It incorporates guitar, drums, percussion, trumpets, and saxophone.

The UI jazz program has played a variety of Thursday night shows at the Mill throughout the semester. This is the first time both of these ensembles will play.

— by Carly Hurwitz