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Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu
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News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
2/25/2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES- Joshua Price is not one who engages in a lot of big talk, but his trumpet manages to speak very loudly. Price, a senior music performance major from Beaumont, Texas, will perform with the Northwestern State University Jazz Orchestra Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Trumpeter Byron Stripling will be the featured soloist. Admission is free and open to the public.
Price is looking forward to learning from Stripling, who was the lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, and Buck Clayton in addition to the Lincoln Center Classical Jazz Orchestra.
"When you hear someone like that who is better than you, it makes you want to practice more," said Price. "We will have the opportunity to work with him in master classes and that should be helpful."
Price is planning to begin graduate school at DePaul University in the fall where he will seek a master's in jazz studies.
"I'm excited about the opportunity. It's going to be different and a big change for me," he said. "I looked around the country and found that DePaul had an outstanding jazz program and one of the best jazz bands in the country."
Attending DePaul will continue a musical education that began for Price in the sixth grade.
"The band director had us play around with mouthpieces. He liked the buzzing sound I made and gave me a trumpet," said Price. "At that time, everyone wanted to play either the drums or the trumpet."
Price admits that most trumpeters are the type of people that enjoy being the center of attention in a jazz group.
"Most trumpet players have big egos. They are saying 'I'm good. Listen to me,''' said Price. "To me, if you know you are a good player, you don't have to tell anyone. You just let your playing do that without saying a word. People will notice how experienced you are and how you carry yourself."
The ability to set yourself apart and take on a solo part takes a long time to develop.
"You have to be willing to give it your all," he said. "And you can't get frustrated or listen to what others say. I've seen some people get mad over something and they mess up for the rest of the day. You can't let that happen."
Price said working with past guest artists such as NSU alumnus Mike Williams has helped him to develop. Williams is lead trumpet with the Count Basie Orchestra which also counts Stripling as a former member.
"It helps a lot to know someone that came from the same background as you has gone on to be a big success," said Price.
Price and Randel Babin will be featured on "Fox Hunt" by Michael Abene.
"This should be a nice program with a lot of variety. There will be some Latin, swing and ballads, a good mixture," said Price.
The program will also include Stan Kenton's "Artistry in Rhythm," "Groove Merchant" by Jerome Richardson with arrangement by Thad Jones, "Just Tell Me Yes Or No" by Rob McConnell with Clifton Walker on trombone.
The Jazz Orchestra will also perform "Otra Vez" by Craig Biondi, 4 B.C. by McConnell, "When You're Smiling" by Larry Shay, Joe Goodwill and Mark Fisher with arrangement by Tom Kubis and "Love Walked In" by George and Ira Gershwin with arrangement by Lennie Niehaus.
Stripling will perform his composition of "I Want a Little Girl," "Boy Meets Horn" by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills and Rex Stewart and transcribed by Mark A. Lopeman, "Zamba" by Allen Vizzutti and Vaughn F. Wiester's arrangement of "When the Saints go Marching In."