Accomplished drummer, UW-Green Bay alumnus Allen to headline Jazz Fest XLV
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will continue a proud musical tradition Saturday, Feb. 7, presenting Jazz Fest XLV on campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive. The 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 has drawn middle- and high-school students from across the region for a day of ensemble performances and clinic and master clinic sessions. One or more high school jazz ensembles are selected during the day to perform at a special afternoon concert, which also features the UW-Green Bay Jazz Ensemble and a special guest artist.
Carl Allen
Allen has recorded with artists including trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (for whom he also served as musical director) and has played with such well-known musicians as Sammy Davis Jr. and Branford Marsalis. A dedicated educator who has more than 200 recordings to his credit, Allen co-founded Big Apple Productions in 1988 with saxophonist Vincent Herring and has produced recordings for notable artists and several Japanese labels.
He will be joined during the concert by a special group of UW-Green Bay all-star jazz alumni, directed by Lovell Ives, as well as the Jazz Ensemble.
Tickets for the Jazz Fest XLV concert are $12 in advance, available from the University Ticketing Service and 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.
Concert personnel are as follows:
UW-Green Bay Jazz Ensemble: Saxophone: Sam Stranz, Alex Munson, Cole Watkins, Kelton Jennings, McKenna VanderLeest; Trumpet: Ryan Loining, Chase Collins, Gatlin Grimm, Em Elman, James Block; Trombone: Cam Collins, Nathan Marhefke, Joe Russett, Alec Haase; Guitar: Matt Hillman; Bass: Gillian Evanoff; Piano: Kyle Sweeney; Drums: Bobby Magers, Isaiah Hernandez.
Jazz Alumni Allstar Personnel: Saxophone: Woody Mankowski, Marc Jimos, Steve Johnson, Chuck Iken, Kevin VanEss, Lauri DeVillers, Chris Anderson; Trumpet: Nate Behling, Tim Gast, Shawn Postell, Kevin Short, Brad Terrell; Trombone: Andy Zipperer, Bill Dennie, Kelley Glarneau, Steve Bader; Guitar: Matt Hillman; Bass: Paul Sowinski; Piano: Kristin Sponcia; Drums: Carl Allen.
Middle and high schools participating in Jazz Fest XLV are: Ashwaubenon High School (Marc Jimos, director); De Pere High School (Casey Schmidt, director); Ellsworth High School (John Kleppe, director); Green Bay Notre Dame Academy (William Hill, director); Oconomowoc High School (Mike Krofta, director); Two Rivers High School (Andy Pagel, director).
Adjudicators for the event are: Jordan Christiansen, Green Bay; Kevin Short, Merrill.
#15-06
