new jazz series highlights "art of trio"

Thu., Sep 10

The Music Department announces the creation of a new jazz concert series, beginning this semester with a Sept. 16 concert featuring Music Professor David Chevan on bass,  Rex Cadwallader on piano, and jazz vocalist extraordinaire Giacomo Gates. The series, called "The Art of Trio," will feature applied music jazz faculty and will present two concerts each semester, says Jonathan Irving, Music Department chairman. 

Chevan, an organizer of the series, says the concerts will be about "intimate jazz -- no drums, just a piano and a bass, and one other instrument." He and Cadwallader, along with a guest, will perform in each of these "spontaneous jazz concerts that will unfold right before the audience."

Chevan and Irving point to the new private lessons program offered by the Music Department this year as making "The Art of Trio" possible. The grant for the private lessons, generously donated by the Stutzman Family Foundation, has enabled the department to hire new adjunct faculty members and, Irving says, the series gives the department "a chance to showcase these performers."

"The idea is to feature faculty members who are involved in jazz-making," says Chevan, adding that the concerts may also bring in musicians from outside the university or the region who are leaders in their respective fields. "We are bringing to Southern some of the best people from the area."

The inaugural concert will take place on Sept. 16 from 8- 9:30 p.m.

The second concert of the fall semester will take place on Oct 14 at 8 p.m., and will feature Chevan and Cadwallader, with special guest guitarist George Raccio.

Both concerts will take place in the Charles Garner Recital Hall (Engleman C112). Admission is $5.

For more information call (203) 392-6630.

Giacomo Gates, right  (photo credit: Frank Stewart) 

Rex Cadwallader, below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Chevan, below