Education, public concert to highlight Jazz Fest XLIII, Feb. 9 at UW-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will continue a longstanding musical tradition Saturday, Feb. 9, when it hosts Jazz Fest XLIII on its campus at 2420 Nicolet Drive. This annual educational and performance event will culminate in a public concert at 4 p.m. that day in the Cofrin Family (main) Hall of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.
Since its inception more than four decades ago, the UW-Green Bay Jazz Fest event has drawn middle- and high-school students from across the region for a day of ensemble performances and clinic and master clinic sessions. Two high school jazz ensembles are selected during the day to perform at the afternoon concert, which also features UW-Green Bay Jazz and Vocal Jazz ensembles, along with a guest artist. For 2013, UW-Green Bay Music is pleased to welcome jazz trumpeter Bobby Shew, a renowned musician and teacher who continues to produce and record music while touring internationally, in the guest artist role. The University also will welcome Prof. Robert Washut of the University of Northern Iowa, an accomplished jazz composer and arranger who has served as UNI’s Director of Jazz Studies for more than 20 years. Washut will serve as an adjudicator and clinician for the event, and Shew will perform several of his pieces during the afternoon concert. Shew will be returning to the guest artist role for at least the second time, said UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. John Salerno.
“We’re bringing Bobby Shew back — one of the great, great trumpet players of our time,” Salerno said. He’s a wonderful player and a wonderful educator. We’re also able to bring in Bob Washut, and tie this in with our Jazz Festival. Bobby is a terrific clinician and Bob Washut is a wonderful arranger — and those two have collaborated for some time.”
Tickets for the Jazz Fest XLIII concert are $12 in advance, available from the University Ticketing Service & Information Center — call (920) 465-2400 or visit www.uwgb.edu/tickets. Tickets also can be purchased at the door (Weidner Center box office) for $15. UW-Green Bay is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
“Anytime you can hear from the great performers, or people who are really at the top of their field, it’s a wonderful experience,” Salerno said. “They bring so much and the students learn so much from each of them, about this wonderful art form that’s truly American — jazz.”
Concert personnel are as follows:
Vocal Jazz Ensemble: Soprano: Cassie Alfheim, Michaela Hogan, Farin Ludtke, Dana Mehlhorn; Alto: Katie Junak, Leah Lamalfa, Lydia Schneider, Ceilidh Westenberger; Tenor: Lane Ludtke, Julio Reyes; Bass: James Letellier, Tony Pesavento, Nick Schommer; Rhythm section: Seth Parmer, guitar; Kevin Bernard, drums.
Jazz Ensemble: Saxophone: Sam Stranz, Cole Watkins, Julio Reyes, Ceilidh Westenberger, Emily Schanowski; Trumpet: Greg Koeller, Kayla Johnson, Chase Collins, Tanner Vodvarka; Trombone: Bill Burroughs, Alex Reed, Joe Russett, Patrick Romanek; Rhythm section: Kyle Sweeney, piano; Cheryl Grosso, percussion; Tony Pesavento, bass; Terry Iattoni, drums.
Middle and High Schools participating in Jazz Fest XLIII are: Arrowhead Union High School, Hartland; Ashwaubenon High School; Brookfield Central High School; DC Everest High School, Schofield; Hortonville Middle School; Markesan District Schools; Norway High School, Norway, Mich.; Notre Dame Academy, Green Bay; Preble High School, Green Bay; Eastview High School, Apple Valley, Minn.
For more on the UW-Green Bay Music program, visit www.uwgb.edu/music.
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