Purdue News
Purdue News
January 3, 1996
Steve Turre, seen by millions weekly as the pony-tailed trombonist in the Saturday Night Live band, brings his unique collection of seashells-turned-horns to the concert stage. After an impressive career playing traditional trombone with the bands of jazz legends Woody Shaw and Thad Jones, Turre began to create his blend of Latin jazz and African rhythms with large conch shells. The Detroit Free Press describes the sound as "organic and stunningly beautiful."
Each of Turre's 10 band members, whether a brass player or percussionist, doubles on traditional horns and shells. The more than 30 shells are carved by hand, and each offers a range of about five notes. The mellow sound from the shells is made by blowing through the carved mouthpiece while placing the hand in the spiral shell's opening.
The Oregonian says a Sanctified Shell Band performance is "full of distinctly haunting tonal flavors without resting on the shells as a gimmick. In fact, the tunes -- influenced by blues, raga and Afro-Cuban styles -- and the high level of musicianship are what really make Turre's shells worth putting to your ear."
Tickets are $19 for the public and $12.50 for Purdue students at campus box offices and Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by telephone at (765) 494-3933.
CONTACT: Kate Walker, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-5045; e-mail, krwalker@convos.purdue.edu
Chicago City Limits has been performing its unique style of comedy and improvisation for more than 15 years. The group was founded by actors participating in the workshop at The Second City. In 1979, Chicago City Limits relocated to New York, established its own theater and began a continuous run now exceeding 5,000 performances. Comedians who have performed with the troupe include Paul Reiser, Robin Williams and Bill Irwin. CCL has been featured on the Today Show, HBO, Comedy Central and in "Reel News," its own TV comedy series on the USA network.
The current production, "What You Said," relies heavily on audience participation. Planned comedy sketches have titles such as "Dance like your parents" and "Jeopardy" -- where the audience provides the answers and the actors come up with the responses. The New York Post says, "It would be an injustice to try and describe the magic these alchemists make it's live, it's funny, it's different, and it's a bargain at twice the price."
Tickets are $13 for the public and $11 for Purdue students at campus box offices and Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by telephone at (765) 494-3933.
CONTACT: Kate Walker, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-5045; e-mail, krwalker@convos.purdue.edu
jmw/artsround/9701m2
Compiled by: J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; e-mail, mike_willis@purdue.edu
