June 11, 2010
Marshall University’s 11th Annual Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival To Feature Saxophonist Phil Thompson
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Jazz-MU-Tazz, Marshall University’s summer jazz festival, will feature guest artist Phil Thompson, the faculty combo Bluetrane, and the Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Band in concert at the Jomie Jazz Center and at Pullman Square beginning Wednesday, June 16.
“This year’s Jazz-MU-Tazz festival continues the tradition of bringing Jazz to the Tri-State,” said Dr. Ed Bingham, professor of music and Jazz Studies director at Marshall. “The final concert at Pullman Square has been expanded to include more ensembles and a greater variety of musical styles.”
In addition to the “Big Bands” that have been featured in previous years, this year’s event will add Jazz-Rock fusion groups ‘Looking Glass’ and ‘Marshall’s Own Funk Orchestra.’ In addition, the River Cities Jazz Ensemble has joined the festival lineup.
Thompson is professor of saxophone, flute and clarinet at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., where he also directs the Winthrop University Jazz Ensemble. He is very active both as a woodwind doubler in Charlotte, N.C., and as a clinician/adjudicator at schools and festivals throughout the Southeast. He is in demand as a performer and teacher of all instrumental styles – classic to jazz – and performs regularly with groups such as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Bernadette Peters.
A graduate of East Carolina University and the University of Michigan, Thompson completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Woodwind Performance at the University of North Texas in 1993.
Bluetrane was created to provide a professional model for the students at Marshall and to establish a musical ensemble devoted to the performance of what has been termed “America’s National Treasure.” Bluetrane’s personnel include Ed Bingham, saxophone; Martin Saunders, trumpet; Mike Stroeher, trombone; Sean Parsons, piano; Mark Zanter, guitar; Steve Hall, percussion; and Jimmy Lykens, bass.
Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Bands are composed of high school students who are interested in jazz performance. During Jazz-MU-Tazz, they develop their skills in improvisation and learn about the history and theory of jazz. The high school participants represent many schools throughout the area including Spring Valley, Cabell Midland, Bridgeport and Summers County high schools in West Virginia, and Symmes Valley and St. Clairsville high schools in Ohio.
The MU Jazz Ensemble has been an important part of West Virginia’s artistic community since its beginning in 1968. It has performed at jazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Antibes, France; Chicago, Washington, D.C.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Orlando, Fla.; and Dayton, Ohio, as well as the University of Notre Dame. The MUJE travels throughout the region to perform in schools and community centers. Recently, the ensemble was featured at the inaugural national conference of the Jazz Educators Network (JEN) in St. Louis, Mo.
The River Cities Jazz Ensemble was established in February 2008 by two former U.S. Air Force Band members, Carl Toler and Frank Hayes. The RCJE repertoire includes music made famous by such great bandleaders as Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Duke Ellington.
“One of the goals of the festival has been to create a way to showcase the talents of members of this community,” Bingham said. “High school, university and professional musicians working together in the wonderful performance venue at Pullman Square will produce a terrific show.”
Following is a schedule of events. All events are free and open to the public.
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Marshall University’s 11th Annual Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival To Feature Saxophonist Phil Thompson
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Jazz-MU-Tazz, Marshall University’s summer jazz festival, will feature guest artist Phil Thompson, the faculty combo Bluetrane, and the Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Band in concert at the Jomie Jazz Center and at Pullman Square beginning Wednesday, June 16.
“This year’s Jazz-MU-Tazz festival continues the tradition of bringing Jazz to the Tri-State,” said Dr. Ed Bingham, professor of music and Jazz Studies director at Marshall. “The final concert at Pullman Square has been expanded to include more ensembles and a greater variety of musical styles.”
In addition to the “Big Bands” that have been featured in previous years, this year’s event will add Jazz-Rock fusion groups ‘Looking Glass’ and ‘Marshall’s Own Funk Orchestra.’ In addition, the River Cities Jazz Ensemble has joined the festival lineup.
Thompson is professor of saxophone, flute and clarinet at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., where he also directs the Winthrop University Jazz Ensemble. He is very active both as a woodwind doubler in Charlotte, N.C., and as a clinician/adjudicator at schools and festivals throughout the Southeast. He is in demand as a performer and teacher of all instrumental styles – classic to jazz – and performs regularly with groups such as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Bernadette Peters.
A graduate of East Carolina University and the University of Michigan, Thompson completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Woodwind Performance at the University of North Texas in 1993.
Bluetrane was created to provide a professional model for the students at Marshall and to establish a musical ensemble devoted to the performance of what has been termed “America’s National Treasure.” Bluetrane’s personnel include Ed Bingham, saxophone; Martin Saunders, trumpet; Mike Stroeher, trombone; Sean Parsons, piano; Mark Zanter, guitar; Steve Hall, percussion; and Jimmy Lykens, bass.
Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Bands are composed of high school students who are interested in jazz performance. During Jazz-MU-Tazz, they develop their skills in improvisation and learn about the history and theory of jazz. The high school participants represent many schools throughout the area including Spring Valley, Cabell Midland, Bridgeport and Summers County high schools in West Virginia, and Symmes Valley and St. Clairsville high schools in Ohio.
The MU Jazz Ensemble has been an important part of West Virginia’s artistic community since its beginning in 1968. It has performed at jazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Antibes, France; Chicago, Washington, D.C.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Orlando, Fla.; and Dayton, Ohio, as well as the University of Notre Dame. The MUJE travels throughout the region to perform in schools and community centers. Recently, the ensemble was featured at the inaugural national conference of the Jazz Educators Network (JEN) in St. Louis, Mo.
The River Cities Jazz Ensemble was established in February 2008 by two former U.S. Air Force Band members, Carl Toler and Frank Hayes. The RCJE repertoire includes music made famous by such great bandleaders as Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Duke Ellington.
“One of the goals of the festival has been to create a way to showcase the talents of members of this community,” Bingham said. “High school, university and professional musicians working together in the wonderful performance venue at Pullman Square will produce a terrific show.”
Following is a schedule of events. All events are free and open to the public.
· Wednesday, June 16, 8 p.m., Jomie Jazz Center: Phil Thompson and Friends.
· Thursday, June 17, 8 p.m., Jomie Jazz Center: Bluetrane
· Saturday, June 19, Pullman Squareo 5 p.m., Jazz–MU-Tazz Festival Big Band with Phil Thompson
o 6 p.m., Marshall University Jazz Ensemble with Phil Thompson
o 7 p.m., Looking Glass (MU Classic Rock Band) and Marshall’s Own Funk Orchestra
o 8 p.m. River Cities Jazz Ensemble
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