Purdue News

October 30, 1998 Legendary jazz ensemble re-forms, will play at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The jazz ensemble Sphere has reunited after a 10-year hiatus, and the group will stop at Purdue University's Loeb Playhouse for a concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. The show is part of Purdue Convocations' Jazz Set and is sponsored by United Technologies. Sphere now consists of founding members Kenny Barron on piano, Buster Williams on bass and Ben Riley on drums, joined by new member Gary Bartz on sax. The original group, formed in 1979, included the now-deceased Charlie Rouse. Purdue Convocations presented one of the ensemble's last performances in 1986. The original musicians named the group after Thelonious Sphere Monk, a jazz musician whose influence they all felt keenly. Rouse and Riley were part of the pianist/composer's combo in the '60s, and the Sphere songbook initially was rife with Monk's compositions. In 1982, Sphere began recording its first project, intending to honor Monk while the legendary musician was still living. But the band emerged from the studio that day to learn of Monk's death. They went on to record five albums and tour extensively. But the failing health and then death of saxophonist Rouse broke up the group in 1988. A decade later, the surviving members were enjoying success on their own, recording and performing with their own bands and sometimes with each other. But the continued pressure of agents and fans around the world convinced them to reunite, with the addition of Bartz on horns. Their new CD on Verve is self-titled. A weeklong stint at the Village Vanguard this spring sold out every show, proclaiming the reunion a success. "It's great to have the opportunity to present the new Sphere," said Don Seybold, associate director of Purdue Convocations. "Their years of recording and playing in the '80s were too short. When I heard they were getting back together and would be touring again, we jumped at the chance to bring them back to Purdue." Tickets to the Nov. 20 performance are $16 for public, $10 for Purdue students, at campus box offices. Charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or 1-800-914-SHOW. CONTACT: Sue Stevens, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-9712; e-mail, snstevens@convos.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page