NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/24/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-The Northwestern State University Jazz Orchestra begins its Sixth Annual Jazz Series with local jazz guitarist Luke Brouillette Wednesday Oct. 2.

This year's concert series also includes award winning jazz quartet Astral Project on Nov. 6, Byron Stripling and Ms. Zeno, the Louisiana Mojo Queen, on March 28 and a surprise guest for the final concert on April 5.

For the opening concert, Brouillette joins the Jazz Orchestra with a rendition of "Got a Match" by Chick Corea, arranged by Grammy nominee Mike Bogle from Arlington, Texas. Brouillette, a graduate of the Berkley School of Music in Boston, is guitar instructor at NSU. The orchestra will perform selections of a contemporary nature, such as "Skunk Funk" by Randy Brecker and "Quintessence" by Quincy Jones.

Astral Project includes Tony Dagradi on tenor sax; Steve Masakowski on bass: James Singleton on bass and John Vidacovich on drums. The ensemble is winner of the Big Easy, Off Beat, and Down Beat Critics Poll Awards. The group has appeared in Germany, Wales, France, Denmark, The Hague and Israel in addition to numerous festivals throughout the United States and on National Public Radio's "Jazz Set with Bradford Marsalis." The members of the ensemble will present individual clinics for students from Northwestern , Natchitoches and from throughout north Louisiana.

The March 28 concert is the kick-off concert to celebrate the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial. Louisiana's contributions to America and the world centers on jazz, which includes the rich, sultry, and seductive soul of the blues. Stripling and Zeno will return to NSU again this year after well-received performances last season.

Stripling recently appeared at the Monterrey Jazz Festival and was on a segment on CNN with jazz legend Dave Brubeck and actor and jazz aficionado Clint Eastwood.

Critics have hailed Stripling as "a powerful trumpeter, at ease with the most complicated and detailed bebop lines and an open-armed Armstrong swagger." And "a charismatic soloist. The outsized tone and flamboyant virtuosity he brought to Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia" and the lyric poetry he expressed in "I Can't Get Started" set a high standard." Stripling will present the sounds and style of the father of jazz, Louis Armstrong.

With her down-to-earth personality, Zeno has thrilled audiences throughout Europe, Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium and Italy. Critics have said she will become a legend in the blues industry. A former NSU music student, she now resides in Memphis as songwriter, lyricist and choreographer of her own shows. She has worked with B. B. King, Isaac Hayes, Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Travis Tritt and Lou Diamond Phillips. Zeno has opened for Leon Russell, Edgar Winter, Omar & the Howlers, Lil' Milton, Bo Diddley, Lynn White, Ann Pebbles, Otis Clay, Bobby Rush and Rufus Thomas . Her story has been featured in "U.S. News & World Report," "Vacation Magazine" and "Northwest Airlines Magazine." Zeno appeared in the movie "Innerstate" and sang her original song, "Love Denied."

For more information on the concerts, call (318) 357-5799.

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