UVA JAZZ ENSEMBLE PRESENTS FALL CONCERT ON FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH, "BENEATH THE UNDERDOG!"

November 13, 2009 - 8:00pm

Mostly Mingus Poster for Fall Jazz Ensemble Concert

On Friday, November 13th, in Old Cabell Auditorium, the UVA Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of trumpeter John D'earth, will present their Fall Concert: Beneath the Underdog - Music for Friday the Thirteenth - Mostly Mingus. The concert takes its title from the Charles Mingus autobiography of the same name. Performing on Friday the thirteenth might seem like bad luck to some, but jazz has always been about turning unpromising circumstances to artistic advantage. The music that Charles Mingus played and composed from his lower-than-lowly position as an underdog jazz genius was, and is, ebullient, celebratory, masterful, and poignantly introspective. Like all great jazz it flies in the face of limiting superstition and inhibition, turning every occasion into a celebration of our great good luck in being alive and having marvelous music to play and to hear!

The Jazz Ensemble will be featuring two recent recruits, Chris Muir on bass and Kiran Kumar on baritone sax who, because of the nature of Mingus' writing, will find themselves soloing abundantly throughout their maiden Jazz Ensemble concert. Mingus compositions like Fables of Faubus, Moanin', Better Get it in Your Soul, Boogie Stop Shuffle, Jelly Roll, and Duke Ellington's Sound of Love will form the bulk of the program. These big band treatments of some of Mingus' best known work will be framed by offerings from three other giants of jazz and swing: Count Basie's Splanky and Whirly Birds, Duke Ellington's Concerto for Cootie, featuring trumpeter Ian Lamb and Miles Davis' Boplicity, from his historic Birth of the Cool recording. Also featured will be lead trumpeter Eric McQuillan, jazz trumpeter Chris Luk, an entirely new sax section led by veteran lead altoist Danna Thomas, Cameron Williams on trombone and Jack Kilby on the drums.

The UVA Jazz Ensemble starts the year with an even mix of returning and new members. The band is grateful to have retained Brandon Walsh on trumpet, after his stellar contribution of four years as an undergraduate at UVA, due to his decision to stay on for graduate school in English Literature. The director, John D'earth, is excited about the chemistry and potential of the band right now. “We have people who have been here for awhile developing their leadership roles and new players coming in who are already strong and experienced. This should be a great year!”

The Jazz Ensemble will present winter and spring concerts in 2010 on Saturday, March 20th and Saturday, May 1st. Special guests will include principal trumpet in the UVA Orchestra, Paul Neebe performing Duke Ellington's Boy Meets Horn, and Early Music professor Paul Walker in jazz settings of medieval and renaissance music. Vocalists are presently being recruited to sing with the band in upcoming concerts. The UVA Jazz Ensemble regularly features original student work and music by the director, as well as music from all facets of the jazz tradition. Stay tuned for further guest artist and musical firsts from this dynamic and dedicated group of musicians. And don't miss the rollicking highs and lows of Charles Mingus' music as performed by them on Friday the 13th of November in Old Cabell Auditorium at 8:00 pm; doors at 7:30.

Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Students. UVA Students can receive a free ticket by reserving on-line prior to 11:59pm on Thursday November 12th at www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu. UVA students can purchase tickets at the door for $5.

Address

UVA Department of Music
112 Old Cabell Hall
P.O. Box 400176 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4176

Email: music@virginia.edu