Purdue Jazz Festival 2009 Guest Artists

Gary Smulyan

Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan is critically acclaimed as one of the major voices on the baritone saxophone today. As a teenager growing up on Long Island, Gary had the opportunity to perform with Lee Konitz, Chet Baker, and Jimmy Knepper.

In 1978 he was asked to join Woody Herman's Young Thundering Herd, which at that time included Joe Lovano, Marc Johnson and John Riley. He left Herman in 1980 and moved back to New York to join the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra led by Bob Brookmeyer. Smulyan has recorded and performed worldwide with Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Tom Harrell. Cedar Walton, George Coleman, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Tommy Flanagan, Chick Corea, Diana Ross, Clark Terry, Kenny Wheeler, Charles McPherson, James Moody and Slide Hampton, among others.

Smulyan is currently on faculty at William Paterson University and is a clinician and endorser for Vandoren Woodwind Products and Keilworth Saxophones. In 2004 he received the Jazz Journalists’ Award for Baritone Saxophonist of the Year and was also the winner of the 2007 Down Beat Critics Poll.

Allen Vizzutti

Equally at home in a multitude of musical idioms, Allen Vizzutti has visited 40 countries and every state in the union to perform with a rainbow of artists and ensembles including Chick Corea, the NBC Tonight Show Band, the Airmen Of Note, Chuck Mangione, Woody Herman, Japan’s NHK Orchestra and the New Tokyo Philharmonic, the Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Leipzig Wind Symphony and the Kosie Wind Orchestra.

Performing as a classical and a jazz artist, often in the same evening, he has appeared as guest soloist with symphony orchestras in Tokyo, Germany, St. Louis, Seattle, Rochester (NY), Milwaukee, Phoenix, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg to name a few.

While growing up in Montana, Allen was taught by his father, a self taught musician and trumpet player, until he left home to attend the Eastman School of Music on full scholarship. There he earned the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, a Performer’s Certificate, a chair in the Eastman Brass Quintet faculty ensemble, and the only Artist’s Diploma ever awarded a wind player in Eastman’s 85 year history.

He is currently “Artist In Residence” at the University of Washington. His extensive treatise, The Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method and his New Concepts for Trumpet, (Alfred Music Publishing), have become standards works for trumpet study world wide. Many more of Allen’s jazz and classical books, play along recordings, and student and recital compositions are published by DeHaske/Hal Leonard, Southern Music, and Ars Nova.

While living in Los Angeles during the 80’s, Allen performed on over 100 motion picture sound tracks, (such as Back To The Future and Star Trek), as well as countless TV shows, commercials and recordings with such artists as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Chick Corea, the Commodores and Prince.

Allen Vizzutti is a Yamaha Performing Artist and his participation in this year's jazz festival is largely due to the generosity of Yamaha's donations. Among his solo jazz recordings are Trumpet Summit and Skyrocket from Summit Records.

Mingus Big Band

The Mingus Big Band celebrates the music of the composer and bassist, Charles Mingus, who died in 1979. Under the artistic direction of Sue Mingus, this 14-piece band performed Thursday nights from 1991 to 2004 at the Fez under Time Cafe in New York City, occasionally alternating with the Charles Mingus Orchestra. In November 2004, the big band began its Tuesday night residency at Iridium Jazz Club. The Mingus Big Band tours extensively in the United States and abroad, and has eight recordings to its credit, six of which have been nominated for Grammys.

Regulars appearing in the 14-piece band:
3 Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Earl Gardner, Eddie Henderson, Ryan Kisor, Kenny Rampton, Alex Sipiagin, Lew Soloff, Jack Walrath
3 Trombones: Jonathan Arons, Luis Bonilla, Robin Eubanks, Joe Fieldler, Conrad Herwig, Andy Hunter, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Earl McIntyre, Dave Taylor
5 Saxophones: Seamus Blake, Abraham Burton, Ronnie Cuber, Wayne Escoffery, Mark Gross, Craig Handy, David Lee Jones, Jason Marshall, Donny McCaslin, Lauren Sevian, Jaleel Shaw
Piano: George Colligan, Kenny Drew Jr., Orrin Evans, David Kikoski,
Bass: Boris Kozlov, Hans Glawischnig, Andy McKee, John Benitez, Joe Martin, Ugonna Okegwo
Drums: Donald Edwards, Johnathan Blake, Gene Jackson

The Critics say:
Jon Pareles of The New York Times says the group has “revived Charles Mingus’s repertory and the brawling, muscular, hard-swinging, bluesy way he wanted it played.”

“A spirited blend of the lush harmonies and boisterous blues sections, interwoven ensemble passages and sudden tempo shifts that made the late bassist Charles Mingus one of the most challenging and celebrated artists in jazz.” - Los Angeles Times

“The Mingus Big Band is a wonder and an anomaly...the Mingus Band has taken a musical legacy and transformed it into a creative force that generates a contemporary originality and vitality all its own. They are an important part of the current jazz scene and a constant reminder that jazz—big band jazz, at that—is not merely entertainment but a powerful art form and means of expression.” - All About Jazz

For tickets to the Mingus Big Band Friday night concert, call 765-494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW, click here for online ordering information or mail in this form.

The Ryan Cohan Quartet

The Ryan Cohan Quartet constantly searches for new musical territory to explore while remaining deeply rooted in jazz and blues traditions. Conversant in a variety of world-music styles and rhythms, the Chicago-based quartet has distinguished itself on major stages throughout the U.S. and Canada by balancing dynamic and tight ensemble playing with explosive, expressive solos.

The Ryan Cohan Quartet was chosen by a panel led by Wynton Marsalis for the 2008 “Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad Program.” Sponsored by Jazz At Lincoln Center and The U.S. State Department, the RCQ will embark on an extended international tour as “Jazz Ambassadors” to perform concerts and conduct clinics in countries less familiar with the indigenous American art form.

Ryan Cohan

Ryan Cohan, leader of the quartet, is based in Chicago and maintains a busy schedule as a pianist, composer, and producer with the top regional musicians and has also performed with other master jazz artists such as Freddie Hubbard, Milt Hinton, Jon Faddis, Joe Locke, Curtis Fuller, Pat La Barbera, Regina Carter, Nick Brignola, Ed Shaughnessey, Andy Bey, Kurt Elling, Kent Jordan, and Michal Urbaniak among others.

Ryan’s diverse resume also includes a substantial list of commercial studio performing credits, a guest artist appearance with the Chicago Chamber Musicians, arranging for the Grant Park Symphony with Otis Clay, and the 2001 music director position with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project.

2003 marked Ryan’s film scoring debut when he composed and produced the soundtrack to the independently released short film, Dog Walker, and early in 2007 Ryan completed scoring his first feature length film, Tapioca, starring Ben Vereen.

Cohan has also worked closely with NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis penning over a dozen compositions and arrangemennts that have appeared on four Lewis releases since 1997 including Appassionata (Narada Jazz)-named “jazz album of the year” in Billboard Magazine’s first annual music awards(2000).

Chamber Music America New York awarded Ryan their highly competitive New Works: Creation and Presentation Grant in 2005 to compose a new suite for his sextet. This extensive new work entitled, One Sky: Tone Poems For Humanity, was premiered in July 2006 at Skidmore College’s Bernhard Theatre in upstate New York and was received with a standing ovation and a rave review from albanyjazz.com.

The Critics say:
Chicago is an underappreciated haven for great bebop pianists, something to which Ryan Cohan’s new One Sky further gives credence. With witty arrangements and blistering solo capabilities, Cohan is certainly on the edge of bigger things. Lorin Cohen on bass, Kobie Watkins on drums and Geof Bradfield on saxes fill out his quartet. - Time Out Chicago

Mark Colby

Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1949, Mark comes from a musical background, as his father was a professional musician (drummer) who played with Benny Goodman for a time in the ‘40’s.  At the age of eight, Mark was given a clarinet and lessons with a wonderful teacher by the name of Bill Schlagel, who emphasized the importance of proper technique and reading.  At age eleven, Mark took the next step in his evolution, saxophone, and thus began his life-long love affair.  Immersed in the sounds of the big bands enjoyed by his father, intrigued by the more modern sounds of bebop, cool and hard-bop records his sister played around the house, his dedication to pursuing a life in music was cemented. 

In 1962, his family moved to Miami, Florida, where he began playing professionally at age 14.  On Miami Beach, he had the opportunity to play shows and popular acts, including Tony Bennett, Sonny and Cher, Bill Cosby, Ann-Margret and Sammy Davis, Jr., with seasoned musicians.  He was for many years the youngest guy on the bandstand, all the while pursing his desire to play all styles of jazz.  As a high school student, he studied with James Casale (co-author of Patterns for Jazz with Jerry Coker.) 

After high school, Mark attended the University of Miami, enrolling in Jerry Coker’s Jazz Studies program.  Studying with Jerry and pianist Vince Maggio had a profound effect on him, as did sitting in with Ira Sullivan since the age of 15.  These master musicians provided him inspiration and encouragement, as well as invaluable education in the jazz idiom.  Mark was fortunate to have had the incredible experience of working with legendary baritone sax player Gerry Mulligan while he was artist in residence. 

While in college, he recorded with the likes of Dr. John, Wilson Pickett, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, and the Bee Gees.  During this time, he assembled a jazz group with keyboardist Ron Miller, and excellent player and composer.  Early members of that group included Mark Egan (bass) and Danny Gottlieb (drums.)  After graduating with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies, he received a call from Maynard Ferguson inviting him to join his band in New York. 

After three albums and three years touring as featured soloist and musical director with Maynard, Bob James beckoned, and he became of member of the “James gang.”  Bob signed Mark to Columbia Records, beginning his solo recording career.  “Serpentine Fire” and “One Good Turn” both sold very well, while he toured for the next six years as a featured member of Bob James’ band.  Mark’s tours with Maynard and Bob found him playing jazz festivals and concert halls around the world. 

In 1980, Mark moved to Chicago, with its very active music scene.  Mark was immediately participating in a recording market that was exploding.  Jingles, record dates, and jazz gigs were plentiful.  In 1983, he was approached by DePaul University to assume a teaching position as jazz saxophone instructor.  Twenty-five years later, he’s still there, and in 1998 joined the faculty at Elmhurst College.  In the ensuing years, he has played and toured with such varied luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Jaco Pastorius, Mose Allison, Joe Williams and Charlie Haden. 

Currently he is performing as a guest soloist and clinician/adjudicator at high schools and colleges throughout the United States and Europe, representing Selmer Saxophones and Vandoren reeds.  In 2001, he performed Duke Ellington’s version of “The Nutcracker Suite” with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and in 2008 performed Leonard Bernstein’s “Prelude, Fugue and Riffs.”  In 1999, Hallway Records released “Reunion” (with Vince Maggio) followed by “Tenor Reference” in 2002, to glowing reviews and appreciative audiences.  His last release on Hallway Records was a tribute to Stan Getz entitled Speaking of Stan, which was released in 2006 and went to #3 on the jazz radio charts. In 2007-8, he appeared at the Chicago, Evanston, Naperville and Glen Ellyn Jazz Festivals.  Mark will appear in a cameo with Diana Krall in the Johnny Depp movie “Public Enemies,” to be released in July 2009. His new CD on Origin Records, “Reflections” will be released in November 2008.

Known internationally, the Purdue Jazz Band boasts a long and rich tradition of performing with some of the top artists in jazz today. It travels extensively each year and has twice performed at the Montreux International Jazz Festival in Switzerland with the last time in July 2000. That summer it topped all jazz bands in competition at the Alpine International Jazz Festival in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, and played club gigs in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

In April 2005 the Purdue Jazz Band was invited to participate in the North Texas Jazz Festival. In February 2008 it was invited to perform in Naples, FL, and in May 2008 it made a two-week tour of Italy. Each February the band competes at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in the Chicago area.

Each January, Purdue University Bands, hosts the three-day Purdue Jazz Festival. Among the many guest artists to appear with the Purdue Jazz Band are Bill Watrous, Freddie Hubbard, Howie Smith, Denis DeBlasio, Ed Shaughnessy, Marvin Stamm, Cecil Bridgewater, Gary Burton, Allen Vizzutti, Chris Vadala, Howard Levy, Conrad Herwig, Terell Stafford, Jim Pugh, Ingrid Jensen, Teri Lyne Carrington, James Williams, Bob Mintzer, Michael Philip Mossman, Steve Weist, Bobby Watson, Claudio Roditi, Dave Samuels, Eric Marienthal and Steve Houghton.

Dr. Marion T. “Mo” Trout, Assistant Professor of Bands, is in his 12th year as director of the Purdue Jazz Band and coordinator of Purdue’s Jazz Studies Program as well as the Purdue Jazz Festival. His Doctor of Musical Arts degree (Trumpet Performance, 1991) is from the University of North Texas. His master's degree (also from the University of North Texas) is in Music Education, as is his bachelor's degree which is from Texas Christian University.

Trout performs as a free-lance trumpeter in jazz and classical settings throughout Indiana and leads his own popular jazz quintet. Trout has directed All-State Jazz Bands in Indiana and Oklahoma, and is an active clinician, adjudicator, soloist and guest conductor for jazz bands, concert bands and orchestras throughout the Midwest and Southwest.