Purdue News

November 12, 1999 'Trumpet Weekend' features hot jazz, cool classical WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Mimicking fall's fluctuating temperatures, Chicago trumpeter Rex Richardson will alternate between hot jazz and cool classical in a pair of Purdue University Bands free concerts dubbed "The Great Trumpet Weekend," Nov. 19 and 21. Richardson's ability to blow both hot and cold successfully draws a lot of attention to the young trumpeter. He was selected by the International Critic's Poll of Downbeat magazine as one of the top 10 trumpeters deserving wider recognition. "What really amazes me is that he can sound just like the perfect classical player, then play in the stratosphere with a beautiful sound to become an amazing jazz player, all in one concert. He's just a phenomenal player," said M.T. "Mo" Trout, director of Purdue's jazz program. When the Purdue Concert and Lab Jazz Bands take the stage at Loeb Playhouse at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, the temperature will rise when Richardson is featured in such straight-ahead jazz tunes as "Lester Leaps In," by Lester Young of the Count Basie Band. Then he'll pull out the flugelhorn for an arrangement of Barbra Striesand's "People." With the Concert Jazz Band, he'll switch to bossa nova with "Got Eyes For You." On Sunday, Nov. 21, cool conditions are predicted as Richardson shows off the flip side of his musical personality with the Purdue Fall Concert and Symphonic Bands. The 2:30 p.m. show will be at the Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., in downtown Lafayette. Admission to both events is free. The trumpeter's classical skills get a workout in the fantasy-oriented "Carnival of Venice" by Jean Baptiste Arban, which requires virtuoso playing. With the Symphonic Band, under the direction of Jay Gephart, Richardson also tackles the second and third movements of the Hummel Trumpet Concerto. Hummel composed the piece in the 1700s in the height of the classical period, when the concerto form was emerging as a major force in music. "It is one of the top trumpet concertos ever written and continues to be programmed with great symphony orchestras around the world," Gephart said. Richardson , a member of various ensembles from the Baton Rouge, La., Symphony Orchestra to the internationally assembled Brass Band of Battle Creek, has performed in the international jazz arena as a sideman for the famous saxophone player Joe Henderson and has appeared as a soloist or band leader at festivals from Montreal Jazz to Ravinia in Chicago. Richardson will have something in common with Purdue's musicians, who perform for the love of music, not for a degree. "He went to Northwestern as a trumpeter but decided not to major in music. He pursued a degree in anthropology. That fits in perfectly with what we do here," Trout said. Although Purdue has no school of music, the bands department is more than 112 years old. Students majoring in any discipline can participate in a wide variety of instrumental musical activities, including five concert bands, four jazz bands, a full symphony orchestra, a vocal jazz group, the largest marching band in the country, individual instrumental study, and a multitude of solo and ensemble opportunities. CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@bands.purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page