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| SVSU Jazz Concert Pays Tribute to Jazz Master Monk |
| A jazz ensemble led by Saginaw Valley State University’s jazz artist-in-residence Jeff Hall will perform a concert in tribute to jazz master Thelonius Monk in “The Music of Monk” Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in SVSU’s Rhea Miller Recital Hall. Known for his work’s humorous and almost playful style, Monk was one of history’s most prolific and influential jazz composers. The concert will feature 10 of his songs, including “Straight, No Chaser,” “Epistrophy” and “Bye-Ya.” A Saginaw native, Hall worked as an adjunct instructor at SVSU from 1974-2005 when he accepted the artist-in-residence appointment. Hall has toured with bands such as Great Lakes Express and Method, while playing alongside noted jazz artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, Joe Henderson and the J.C. Heard Orchestra. Other musicians performing include: • Nick Colandro, bass; his musical experience covers a wide variety of styles. He has performed with many artists, including Rob McConnell, the Fifth Dimension, Billy Branch, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Harold Danko, Myron Floren and Sesame Street’s Bob McGrath. • Pat Cronley, piano; he has performed, composed and arranged music for over 25 years, including work for Miss Michigan and Miss Black U.S.A. pageants, and for an upcoming Pixar film. He served as musical-director for Motown’s The Velvelettes and performed with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, he founded Jazz on Wheels, a non-profit group that serves to introduce area children to the art of jazz. • Rick Culver, trombone; he spent more than four years on the road with the big bands for Larry Elgart, Glenn Miller, Billy Maxted, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich. He received master’s degrees from the Juilliard School in New York and from Michigan State University. Culver has recorded with many top jazz bands in the Los Angeles area, including Bill Holman, Bob Florence and Dave Pell, and backed such artists as Mel Torme, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald. • John Hill, percussion; he teaches for Holly Area Schools, University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College. Hill has recorded with Joe Morello, Dave Samuels and Bob Mintzer, and has performed with Jon Faddis, Richie Cole, Terry Gibbs, Dave Brubeck, Andy Narrell and many more. Hill earned bachelor’s and graduate degrees from Central Michigan University in music education and percussion performance. He performs regularly with the Bijou Orchestra and as a substitute for several of Detroit’s top jazz and society bands. • Rob Smith, trumpet; he is an assistant professor and jazz studies director at Central Michigan University. Smith performs regularly on trumpet and saxophone throughout the United States, Canada and Europe with several noted jazz groups, including the Woody Herman Jazz Orchestra, the Kirk MacDonald Quintet, the Steve Haines Quintet and the Jeff Haas Quintet. He also plays the electric bass, saxophone and guitar, and has recorded several of his own compositions. Admission to "The Music of Monk" is $10 for the general public and $5 for students and seniors. For more information, call SVSU’s Box Office at 989-964-4261; from Midland, dial 989-695-5325, ext. 4261. |
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