Education, performances to highlight Jazz Fest XLII Jan. 28 at UW-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will continue a proud educational and performance tradition Saturday, Jan. 28, when it hosts Jazz Fest XLII on campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive. The annual event will culminate with a public concert at 4 p.m. that day in the Cofrin Family (main) Hall at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.
Jazz Fest is a daylong event filled with ensemble performances and clinic and master clinic sessions for middle-and high-school students from Wisconsin and Michigan. Two high school jazz ensembles are selected during the day to perform at the culminating concert, which also features UW-Green Bay Jazz and Vocal Jazz ensembles, along with a guest artist. This year’s concert event will feature renowned trombonist Tom Garling in the guest artist role. UW-Green Bay music faculty members John and Chris Salerno direct the Jazz and Vocal Jazz ensembles, respectively.
The annual event is a great way to celebrate jazz and jazz musicians, John Salerno said. A total of 12 high schools will participate in this year’s activities.
“This is a wonderful art form, because it encourages you to be creative and put your own stamp on the music,” John Salerno said. “Jazz Fest allows us to bring in talented guest artists, and also offer a showcase for premiere University groups — the Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble — along with up-and-coming local high school musicians.”
Guest artist Garling is known worldwide as a highly sought-after recording artist, teacher, clinician, professional musician, composer and arranger. A native of Barrington, Ill., he earned a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance and a Master’s degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the University of Miami. He has toured with jazz greats such as Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich, the latter of whom once remarked that, “Tom Garling is going to have a very, very strong future in jazz.” Along with his own album, “Maynard Ferguson Presents Tom Garling,” he is featured as soloist, composer/arranger and guitarist on numerous Maynard Ferguson albums. Garling currently resides in Chicago.
Tickets for the Jazz Fest XLII concert are $12 in advance, available from the University Ticketing Service & Information Center — call (920) 465-2400 or visit www.uwgb.edu/music/events.asp. Tickets also can be purchased at the door (Weidner Center box office) for $15. The event is UW-Green Bay Music’s 18th concert of the 2011-12 season. UW-Green Bay is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Concert personnel are as follows:
Vocal Jazz Ensemble: Soprano — Cassie Alfheim, Michaela Hogan, Farin Ludtke; Alto — Sarah Chayer, Katie Junak, Leah LaMalfa, Angie Roskos; Tenor — Ryan Braatz, Lane Ludtke, Julio Reyes, John Yerke; Bass — Tony Pesavento, Kevin Wellens; Rhythm Section — Seth Parmer, bass; Ben Hogan, drums; Adam LeGrave, percussion.
Jazz Ensemble: Saxophone — Sam Stranz, alto 1; Cole Watkins, alto 2; Julio Reyes, tenor 1; Brian Kopfhammer, tenor 2; Kyle Hall, baritone; Trumpet — Kayla Johnson, Greg Koeller, Tanner Vodvarka, David Blihar; Trombone — Patrick Romanek, Michael Fowler, Bill Burroughs, Nick Fisher; Rhythm Section — Kyle Sweeny, piano; Mike Fowler, guitar; Seth Parmer, bass, Ben Hogan, drums; Adam LeGrave, percussion.
High schools participating in Jazz Fest XLII are:
Ashwaubenon High School, Green Bay
Columbus Catholic High School, Marshfield
De Pere High School, De Pere
Fond du Lac High School, Fond du Lac
Norway High School, Norway, Michigan
Notre Dame Academy, Green Bay
Pulaski High School, Pulaski
Roncalli High School, Manitowoc
Sevastopol High School, Sturgeon Bay
Shawano High School, Shawano
Tri-County Area High School, Plainfield
Two Rivers High School, Two Rivers
For more on the UW-Green Bay Music program, visit www.uwgb.edu/music.
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