The MTSU Jazz Artist Series begins its fourteenth season with jazz pianist, composer and arranger, Andy LaVerne, headlining alongside the MTSU Jazz faculty at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus.
The MTSU Jazz Artist series brings internationally-renowned jazz artists to the region for performances and educational workshops.
“Past guest artists (for the series) have included some of the most important jazz musicians and educators in jazz history,” said Jamey Simmons, MTSU professor of jazz trumpet and Director of Jazz Studies at the MTSU School of Music..
“(LaVerne) is really an important voice in contemporary jazz, bringing the jazz tradition to the stage while at the same time expanding into new territory through his original compositions and arrangements,” said Simmons. :”He also is known as a teacher of the music, which will give our students an insight into the art of one of the masters.”
Performing with LaVerne are MTSU music faculty including Simmons on trumpet, Don Aliquo on saxophone, Jim Ferguson on bass, Derrek Phillips on drum set and Pat Coil performing a piano duo with the guest.
Guest artist LaVerne studied at Juilliard, Berklee, and the New England Conservatory, and took private lessons from legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans. The list of musicians with whom LaVerne has worked reads like a Who's Who in jazz: Frank Sinatra, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Lionel Hampton, Michael Brecker, Elvin Jones, and numerous others. LaVerne’s website can be found at http://www.andylaverne.com/ .
In addition to the Oct. 25 concert, a free clinic by LaVerne is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th at 3 p.m. in Saunders Fine Arts building, room 101 on the MTSU campus.
The MTSU Jazz Artist series will continue its 2012-2013 season on Feb. 14 with the MTSU Jazz Faculty Nonet performing music from Miles Davis’ legendary Birth of the Cool and again on Feb. 23 with the MTSU Jazz Festival featuring legendary composer and arranger Bill Holman.
Tickets for the Jazz Artist Series Concerts are $15 for the general public. Admission is free for MTSU faculty, staff and students with proper ID, and discounts are available for area high school and middle school music students. To reserve tickets call (615) 898-2724 or email James.Simmons@mtsu.edu .