WCU JAZZ FESTIVAL

34th Annual WCU Jazz Festival

Jonathan Ragonese, Director

JOIN ALL OF THE SCHOOL’S ENSEMBLES, FACULTY AND GUEST ARTISTS IN A CELEBRATION OF IMPROVISED MUSIC

All events take place in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center wcupa.edu/jazzfest

March 20, 12:00 PM

RITUAL AURAS: PHIL HAYNES & HERB ROBERTSON

Opening the festival is a catalyzing duo with drummer Phil Haynes and trumpeter Herb Robertson. Don’t miss this exploration of possibilities, celebrating all things joyful. Phil Haynes has performed and recorded with a Who’s Who of international creative artists including Anthony Braxton, David Liebman, Drew Gress, Frank Lacy and Dave Douglas. Herb Robertson boasts an expansive recording catalog, performing regularly with Tim Berne, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, John Zorn, and Gerry Hemingway.

March 20, 8:00 PM

FACULTY JAZZ CONCERT

Join the Faculty of the Wells School of Music for an evening of standards and original music!

March 21, 12:00 PM

Student Showcase

Join us for the first featured concert of a student ensemble. Chosen through a rigorous audition process, our Thursday afternoon concert will feature a studentled, student-conceived, and all studentperforming ensemble.

March 21, 8:00 PM

RON THOMAS TRIO

FEATURING STEVE MEASHEY AND CHRIS LŌSER

The culmination of the series And now: a word from our friends. Lecturer Ron Thomas invites two close friends for an evening of piano trio.

March 22, 8:00 PM

BOB MINTZER & THE CRITERIONS

Festival Headliner concert not to be missed! The Criterions play an entire evening of Bob Mintzer’s music, with the composer/ arranger/saxophonist himself. Bob currently holds the Barbara and Buzz McCoy endowed chair at the USC Thornton School of Music. Bob is a 30-year member as saxophonist with the Yellowjackets. He is also the chief conductor of the WDR Big Band in Cologne Germany. Bob has written over 500 big band arrangements, several jazz study books, orchestral and chamber works. He has played on over 1000 recordings and has performed with Tito Puente, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones Mel Lewis Big Band, Eddie Palmieri, Jaco Pastorius, Mike Manieri, Randy Brecker, and the New York Philharmonic.

March 23

HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ FESTIVAL

Many of the finest high school jazz ensembles from around the region will be performing and working with the WCU faculty at this day-long festival. These young musicians demonstrate that the future of jazz is in good hands.

GA Tickets: $15 Adults | $8 Seniors & Students | Free for WCU Students wcupatix.com