From Staff Reports 

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble will perform in Furman University’s Music by the Lake summer concert series at 7:30 p.m. July 11 in Furman’s amphitheater at 3300 Poinsett Highway, here.

The SJE, directed by Dr. Thomas Wright, bills itself as “a big band ... We play six to eight concerts a year — and most of them are free.” The venues at which they perform usually include the Chapman Center, Furman University, Wofford College, “and our summer concert series at Converse University.”

What’s more, the SJE , which was formed in 1996 as a part of the Spartanburg Community Band organization, “consists of a mix of professional and amateur players who are bound together by their love of big band music... The band also features two local vocalists — Darin Dotson and WSPA TV’s Diane Lee.”

Furman’s Music by the Lake series will continue every Thursday through Aug. 1, featuring music that is “a cross-section of big band, jazz, international, contemporary and traditional and orchestra favorites,” a Furman press release stated. 

Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs, blankets and picnic dinners.

In case of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved to McAlister Auditorium. 

Admission is free