Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
January 14, 2000 Vocal jazz competition a first for Purdue Jazz FestivalWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – For a short time on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22, there will be more jazz per square foot on the Purdue University campus than in the jazz mecca of New Orleans. More than 100 high school and middle school jazz bands and vocal ensembles – not to mention the public – will have the chance to rub shoulders with performers of national renown during the two-day Purdue Jazz Festival, which boasts two major concerts plus workshops and clinics. And for the first time, the festival offers competition in vocal jazz, with most of the competing ensembles coming from outside Indiana. School ensembles from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio will retreat to the University Inn Friday, Jan. 21, for the "Jazz Cafe." Geared towards participating band students, the event features guest appearances by some of the festival's visiting artists. The jam session will be followed by a concert sponsored by Purdue Convocations at 8 p.m. Friday at the Loeb Playhouse, which is open to the public. Jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon and her trio as well the T.S. Monk Sextet will entertain. Tickets cost $25 for the public and $15 for Purdue students. Then on Saturday, the public is invited to sit in and soak up the talent of the students and some of the Midwest's best jazz groups. A $10 ticket secures admission to all Saturday events including the Finale Concert. For tickets to Friday's concert and Saturday's numerous events, charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914—SHOW or stop by campus box offices. Saturday morning, musicians tune up early as school bands play for adjudicators throughout the day in five Purdue locations — Fowler Hall and Loeb Playhouse in Stewart Center, Matthews Hall, Purdue Memorial Union, and the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall. The music starts at 8 a.m. and continues in all these locations through approximately 6 p.m. Clinics and workshops on everything from sax playing with Chicago's Mark Colby to creating the big band sound with California's Jim Linahon are also scheduled throughout the day, and all are open to the public. One of particular interest is a lecture, slide and musical presentation by jazz historian Michael Cogswell, curator of the Louis Armstrong Archives in Queens, N.Y. The festival's Finale Concert occurs at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Elliott Hall of Music. Local jazz favorite Tony Zamora opens the concert, trombonist Bill Watrous will perform with the Purdue Jazz Band, and honor bands selected from the day's competition also will be featured. In keeping with the event's 2000 vocal jazz emphasis, the dynamic New York Voices will headline the concert. Joining with the Purdue Jazz Band, they will perform some new arrangements from their recent recording with the Count Basie Orchestra. The festival, sponsored by Purdue Bands, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@purdue.edu NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Photographs of headliners can be borrowed from Purdue Bands. Contact Kathy Matter at (765) 496-6785.
|
