Music was in the air when the EIU Jazz Lab Band performed renditions of several jazz and funk classics Thursday night at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The band was directed by Paul Johnston, professor of jazz studies, and was accompanied by Sam Fagaly, director of jazz studies, who played the tenor saxophone in several songs.

The concert began with the band playing Nat Adderly’s “Jive Samba,” which was followed by several songs featuring brass and piano solos. The night ended with the band playing a rendition of Dave Eshelman’s “We’re Outta Here,” with Fagaly performing a saxophone solo with the band.

Fagaly and Johnston performed a duet near the end of the concert entitled “When I Fall in Love” with Fagaly playing the saxophone and Johnston playing the piano.

Johnston expressed his joy at having Fagaly as a guest performer several times during the concert.

“We’re very lucky to have him (Fagaly) performing here tonight,” Johnston said before he and Fagaly began their duet.

The concert, which lasted about an hour, drew a crowd of nearly 100 people, the majority of whom were students, though some members of the Charleston community did show up to show their appreciation for the jazz band.

Charles Tidus, a member of the Charleston community, comes to EIU events often and was pleased by this particular concert.

Tidus said he enjoyed the concert. “I come almost every time they have them.”

One of the students who came to the concert was Harrison Cole, a sophomore piano performance major, who said after the concert that it was a great experience.

“It was one of the best,” Cole said. “I come to all the EIU Jazz Lab performances and this one was definitely one of the best.”

There are no more concerts scheduled for the EIU Jazz Lab this semester, but the Jazz Ensemble, directed by Fagaly, will be performing 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 in the Grand Ballroom of the Union.

The Eastern Jazz Combos will also be performing 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Top of the Roc’s.