November 03, 2009
New Arts Jazztet presents first formal fall concert
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The New Arts Jazztet, a faculty ensemble in the School of Music at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, brings its first-ever formal fall concert to Shryock Auditorium.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, and features jazz standards from several different jazz styles. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students. The concert also doubles as a release event for Jazztet bassist Phil Brown’s new recording, “Bright Side.”
This performance highlights jazz classics from Broadway, Tin Pan Alley and other popular jazz sources, such as Irving Berlin’s “How Deep is the Ocean?” Other tunes entered the jazz canon later, such as Cedar Walton’s “Bolivia.” And yet others are adapted to a jazz format from other styles of music -- including “Rock with You,” an early Michael Jackson hit. However, the audience should not expect the same old song. The New Arts Jazztet stamps each song, each performance, with its own unique sound.
“Bright Side” is Brown’s third CD release apart from New Arts Jazztet or other ensembles. The Jazztet is a major part of the CD, but Brown takes a lead role on this recording. Six of the tunes are his own compositions. The other four are Jazztet compositions. The formal release date for the CD is Nov. 10, but concertgoers have the opportunity to buy advance copies.
The New Arts Jazztet was formed in 1983 by several SIUC School of Music faculty, and has been in residence since that time. New Arts Jazztet is: founding member Bob Allison (trumpet), Phil Brown (bass), Ron Coulter (drums), Mel Goot (piano), Dick Kelley (reeds), and Tim Pitchford (trombone).
All proceeds from the concert go to help fund student scholarships for the SIUC School of Music.
For more information about the New Arts Jazztet, go to music.siuc.edu/ensembles/fac_jazztet.html, or contact Phil Brown at philbrown@siu.edu or 618/303-8051.