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Press Release
June 5, 2001
The North Arkansas Jazz Society and University of Arkansas Music Department are collaborating once again with University of Arkansas Public radio to present the third KUAF Summer Jazz Concert Series. Our "House Rhythm Section" of Claudia Burson on piano, Jim Greeson on bass and Darren Novotny on drums will be back to anchor the season.
Each concert will feature a guest soloist who will perform with the trio plus a concert featuring the world acclaimed Greg Osby Quartet. All concerts are at 8:00 PM on Friday evenings at the University of Arkansas Fine Arts Concert Hall on the Fayetteville campus. Tickets are $8.00 general admission, $6.00 for North Arkansas Jazz Society members , and $5.00 for students.
Tickets will be available for purchase in advance at Uncle Sam's Safari Outfitters in Evelyn Hills Shopping Center, Fayetteville. To order by phone (credit card necessary) call 501-521-7779 or 501-521-1255.
June 22- Saxophonist John Gross. Tenor saxophonist John Gross from Portland Oregon will join the trio. John was born in Burbank CA in 1944 and has been playing since the age of 8. In 1960 he became a sideman with Harry James and went on to play with Johnny Mathis, Stan Kenton, Lionel Hampton and Shelly Manne. John's playing has been described as "...a phenomena of knowledge and experience...one of the most meaningful players on the scene, he plays his life on the horn." Born in Burbank California in 1944, John Gross grew up in a family of musicians, playing in amateur and professional bands from age 8 (clarinet and alto saxophone). He studied privately until 1960, when he began touring as a professional musician with Harry James. John went on to play with Johnny Mathis, Stan Kenton, Lionel Hampton, and Shelly Manne, switching to tenor saxophone in 1967. As one of Shelly Manne's Men playing weekly at the Manne Hole night club in Los Angeles, Gross played opposite all the jazz greats of the era. When the club closed, he toured and recorded with many bands, such as Toshiko Akiyoshi's Orchestra. In 1985 Gross formed THREEPLAY with Putter Smith on bass and Larry Koonse on guitar. Their first album, self named THREEPLAY (Nine Winds, 1991), was a preliminary nomination for two Grammys, for best jazz album and best jazz solo performance for Gross' tenor and flute work. In 1990 Gross moved to Portland Oregon to teach at the University of Oregon and Portland State University. He now heads up his own bands, SAXOPHOBIA (B-3 driven soul-jazz), the JOHN GROSS QUARTET (Cool jazz with Billy Mintz on drums) and THREEPLAY. In 1998 Advanced Music published Gross' "Multiphonics for the Saxophone, A Practical Guide." John's playing has been described as:
"...a phenomena of knowledge and experience...he's a survivor and one of the most meaningful players on the scene, he plays his life on the horn." T. Price, Saxophone Journal, May/June 1994
"...he's referred to as a musician's musician...for over twenty years a mainstay in the American Jazz scene...His playing is deeply, profoundly human, fat and sensuous yet hard and jagged, inflamed with a gleeful audacity." D. Clark, Vancouver Courier, Dec, 1994
Friday, July 6 - The Greg Osby Four with Jason Moran-piano, Tarus Mateen-bass, Naheet Waits-drums This will be the only concert of the season to feature a working band other than our house trio. Saxophonist Greg Osby was born in St Louis Mo. in 1960. After completing his formal music education at Howard University and Berklee College of Music in 1983, Greg quickly became a part of the New York City scene, performing with Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Cassandra Wilson, McCoy Tyner, and Pat Metheny to name just a few. With over 15 CD's to his credit, Osby has become the embodiment of the restless innovator who has made a career of "stretching jazz listeners' exposure to unfamiliar territory while exploring his own method of composition". Osby's unceasing quest seems to focus on increasing his range and versatility as a performer and composer. His all star quartet includes Jason Moran on piano, Taurus Mateen on bass, who recently performed in Fayetteville with vibraphonist Stefon Harris, and Nashheet Waits on drums. Visit Greg's website at: http://www.gregosby.com/
August 3 - Composers & Students Showcase. The Composer's Showcase has become a tradition in the Summer Jazz Concert Series. This is an evening that showcases original tunes from our regions finest jazz musicians. Past concerts have included works by Gerald Sloan, Allan Gibson, James Greeson, Claudia Burson and Keefe Jackson. This year's showcase will also spotlight U of A music students returning from the Jamey Abersold Summer Jazz Music Camp. These are outstanding jazz student musicians who were recipients of the North Arkansas Jazz Society's Scholarship awards to continue their studies at this prestigious and inspiring summer music camp.
August 17- Singer/Composer Laura Taylor. Vocal sensation Laura Taylor will join our house trio for an evening of jazz standards. Laura has been a mainstay on the Las Vegas music scene. She has produced three CD's and performed with jazz greats like Jack Sheldon, Conte Condoli and Red Holloway. Laura is also a fine composer and pianist, so in addition to gems from Ellington, Rogers and Hart, Gershwin and Jobim, we can expect to hear some gorgeous originals from Ms. Taylor.
August 31 - Guitarist Fred Hamilton. Fred Hamilton is a guitarist, bassist, composer, recording artist, author, clinician, and teacher. The University of North Texas have been his home since 1989. He has recorded one album as a leader (Looking Back on Tomorrow) with David Friesen and Ed Soph and has toured and recorded three albums with the Earl Harvin Trio. Fred has played with artists such as Bill Frisell, Cedar Walton, Mike Stern, George Garzone, David Liebman, Marvin Stamm, Bill Mays, and Dave Pietro. He also did a tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1972-76 as a guitarist and arranger with the NORAD Command Band. In addition Fred is on the faculty of the world famous jazz program at the University of North Texas as well as the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops. This concert will mark Fred's second appearance in Fayetteville. His first was a duo performance with Jim Greeson which generated sparks of musical magic. Don't miss this encore opportunity to hear Fred with our Trio.
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