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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
9/24/2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - The Northwestern State University Jazz Concert Series will begin with "An Ellington-Basie Rendezvous" Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. The program is one of two performances this season featuring the music of Duke Ellington.
The University Big Band condcted by Mike Morgan will perform "Fun Time" and "Samantha" by Sammy Nestico, "Splanky" by Neil Hefti and Nestico and "Sunset" by Gregory Yasinitsky.
The University Jazz Orchestra is conducted by Galindo Rodriguez. Their program will consist of Ellington's "Harlem Airshaft" and "Jack the Bear," "Tiptoe" by Thad Jones, Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" arranged by Pete Myers and an arrangement of Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone" done for the Count Basie Orchestra.
"Duke Ellington and Count Basie were two of the giants of jazz," said Rodriguez. "Their influence over jazz and its development were tremendous. Both of them were the type of people who attracted the best musicians and arrangers to help them create distinctive styles. And even after both are gone, the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra are still actively performing around the world, which is a tribute to what they created."
The Concert Series will also include a performance by the Jazz Ambassadors, the United States Army's premier touring jazz orchestra. This 19-member big band, formed in 1969, has received great acclaim both at home and abroad performing America's original art form, jazz.
The band has appeared in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and throughout Europe. Notable performances include concerts at international jazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Newport, R.I.; Toronto, Canada; Brussels, Belgium; and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. In 1995, the Jazz Ambassadors performed in England, Wales, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. The band has also been featured in unique joint concerts with major orchestras, including the Detroit and Baltimore symphonies.
On Wednesday, Nov. 17, the University Jazz Orchestra will present Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite" at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall.
Bassist Ted Partin of Memphis will join the University Big Band and Jazz Orchestra for a concert on March 16, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall.
NSU will host the NSU-Natchitoches Jazz Festival April 21-23. The Festival will provide a number of educational opportunities for middle school, high school and college students.
Featured performed will include the modern jazz group Astral Project of New Orleans and the U.S. Navy Jazz Big Band. The University Jazz Orchestra will also perform with trombonist Matt Niese of the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble.