Additional Details Announced for 33rd Annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert Oct. 28-Nov. 1

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh celebrates its 33rd Annual Jazz Seminar and Concert Oct. 28 through Nov. 2 with a line-up of internationally renowned jazz greats, free on-campus seminars and lectures, a jazz exhibition featuring Lionel Hampton's xylophone, performances in Pittsburgh area schools and other community venues, and the annual concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

This year's event will include a presentation of a special Lifetime Achievement Award to trumpeter Clark Terry during the concert intermission.

Other guest performers include: James Moody, saxophone; Jackie McLean, saxophone; Jon Faddis, trumpet; Randy Brecker, trumpet; Abraham Laboriel, bass; Mulgrew Miller, piano; Pat Martino, guitar; and Billy Cobham, drums. These legendary artists will perform under the direction of Nathan Davis, the head of Pitt's Jazz Studies Program and founder of the event.

CONCERT DETAILS

The Nov. 1 concert will feature arrangements by Davis, and the diverse playing styles and impromptu nature of the gathering will make this a one-of-a-kind performance. Tickets, $18 for general admission and $8 for students with a valid ID, are available at any TicketMaster location, by phone at 412-323-1919, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, and at the William Pitt Union box office.

Former Pa. State Representative William R. Robinson will serve as the evening's master of ceremonies. At intermission, Terry, a longtime friend and past performer at the Pitt jazz event, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. McLean will receive the 2003 Jazz Seminar Committee Award, and two new members of Pitt's International Academy of Jazz Hall of fame will be inducted. The concert and lectures will be recorded, and the audio and videotapes will be added to the University of Pittsburgh-Sonny Rollins Jazz Archives.

LECTURES AND SEMINARS

(Free and Open to the Public)

Oct. 28

William Pitt Union (WPU) Assembly Room

7 p.m. "The History of Jazz"

Ira Gitler

This renowned jazz writer, critic, and educator, is coauthor, along with Leonard Feather, of The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (Oxford University Press, 1999) and author of Swing to Bop (Oxford University Press, 1987). He has been one of the most prolific and respected annotators of LPs and CDs for a half-century.

Oct. 30

WPU Assembly Room

7 p.m. "The Business of Jazz"

John Schreiber

Called a "visionary producer" by the New York Times, Schreiber is president of Lafayette Productions, which produces concerts, theatricals, TV specials, and entertainment marketing programs for corporations. He has produced Kool Jazz Festivals, Newport Jazz Festivals, and the Mellon Jazz Festival here in Pittsburgh. Schreiber received a 2002 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event for producing the Broadway hit Elaine Stritch at Liberty.

Oct. 31

WPU Assembly Room

10 a.m. "Living Legends of the Saxophone"

James Moody and Jackie McLean

1 p.m. "Jazz Titans"

Abraham Laboriel (bass) and Mulgrew Miller (piano)

2:30 p.m. "Guitar Virtuoso"

Pat Martino

Nov. 1

WPU Assembly Room

10 a.m. "Master of Fusion—Explosive Rhythms"

Billy Cobham (drums)

11:30 a.m. "Genius in Brass"

Jon Faddis (trumpet) and Randy Brecker (trumpet)

JAZZ EXHIBITION AT WILLIAM PITT UNION

A Leedy xylophone once owned by Lionel Hampton will highlight a display at the Conney M. Kimbo Gallery at the WPU Oct. 28 through Nov. 1. Russ Myer (CAS '79, SHRP '82) and his parents, Rodger (PHAR '54) and Joanne Myer, donated the instrument last month to the University of Pittsburgh-Sonny Rollins International Jazz Archives. It was kept by Hampton at the home of George D'Anna, head percussionist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Hampton played many engagements in Buffalo at that time, both with the Philharmonic and in dance clubs with Benny Goodman and others.

In 1972, Myer's parents purchased the xylophone for their son, who was a classical percussion student of D'Anna. Myer himself played with the Pitt Jazz Ensemble while a student here in 1977, and participated in that year's event.

Other items on display, all from the archives, will include original manuscripts, photographs, and personal items donated by jazz pioneers and their families.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, and noon-5 p.m. Saturday; however, the gallery will remain open through the Nov. 1 concert.

SCHOOL VISITS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

As they do every year, two guest musicians will travel to Pittsburgh area schools

to conduct mini-clinics for students:

Oct. 31

1 p.m. Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts

111 Ninth St., Downtown

Guest Artist: James Moody

1 p.m. Falk Laboratory School

Allequippa and Brackenridge streets, Oakland

Guest Artist: Pat Martino

Two other guest musicians will visit Shadyside and Homewood at the following locations:

Nov. 1

11 a.m. Ronald McDonald House Charities

512 Shady Ave.

Guest Artist: Abraham Laboriel

11 a.m. The Afro-American Music Institute

7227 Tioga St.

Guest Artist: Mulgrew Miller

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