UVA Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert
The UVA Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of trumpeter and composer John D'earth will perform their Spring Concert, the last of their three evening concerts for the 2005/2006 season, on Saturday, April 29th in Old Cabell Auditorium at 8:00 PM. Along with the band's trademark creativity, exciting soloists and superb ensemble playing, the evening will feature vocal students of UVA vocal instructors Stephanie Nakasian and Dawn Thompson, singing a variety of jazz standards. Chat Hull, who has become something of a perennial favorite with Jazz Ensemble audiences, is a fourth year who will be moving on with his dream of becoming an astrophysicist and professional jazz singer. Chat will be joined by Diana Chou and Emily Eddins in songs like On the Street Where You Live, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Mean to Me, and Duke Ellington's I'm Beginning to See the Light. In an exciting fusion of big band jazz and opera Ms. Eddins, a soprano, will sing the aria Un Bel Di from Puccini's Madam Butterfly.
Another special feature of this year's spring concert will be the inclusion of a very unusual guest artist, lead trumpet player Roy Muth. The Jazz Ensemble regularly features internationally renowned guest soloists. In the past they've hosted Pat Metheny, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry, Michael Brecker, and, most recently, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. Roy Muth is a superb lead trumpet player who has worked often with D'earth backing artists like Arturo Sandoval, Jimmy Heath, Rene Marie, and the Temptations. "Lead trumpeters don't usually take solos," says D'earth. "They are like the quarterback on a football team. They lead the band from above, putting that excitement and sparkle at the top of the ensemble. It's a sound that we associate with the greatest big band music." Through a special gift to the UVA jazz performance program Mr. Muth will spend a week-long residency with the Jazz Ensemble, attending all rehearsals, teaching the students in-depth about ensemble playing for jazz brass and blowing their minds with his virtuosity, range and power. Mr. Muth will also be giving a masterclass in old Cabell Hall on Saturday afternoon, April 10th, which is free and open to the public; time:TBA
The Jazz Ensemble has a number of new soloists. Pianist Chris Plietz will perform his own solo arrangement of Body and Soul to lead into the classic Stan Kenton rendition. Tenors Ben Jessup and Greg Weaver will be featured along with, altoists Henry Wittenzellner and Anthony Robertson and bari saxophonist Andrew Busick. Nick Cordal is the band's gifted new guitar soloist and second year trumpeter Dean de la Pena, one of the strongest solo voices in the band, will be featured on Count Basie's Shiny Stockings and Bobby Brookmeyer's Samba con Getchu.
The concert is on Saturday, April 29th at 8:00pm in Old Cabell Hall. Tickets are $10 for the General Public, $5 for Students, and 5Arts$ for UVA Students. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Cabell Hall Box Office at 434-924-3984.
