WHAT: UNH Traditional Jazz Series
WHO: New Black Eagles Jazz Band
WHERE: Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center, Durham, NH
WHEN: Monday, September 18, 2006
TIME: 8:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $8.00, general, $6.00, students/seniors. Tickets may be purchased at the UNH Memorial Union Ticket Office Monday through Friday 10 am – 4 pm and one hour prior to the performance. For tickets call (603) 862-2290.
Mark Monday, September 18, on your calendar. That's when the New Black Eagles Jazz Band is coming to the UNH. New England's own, the Eagles have been a fixture on the international jazz scene for 35 years, bringing their New Orleans traditional sound to audiences all over the world. By many, the Eagles are considered the world's premier traditional jazz band.
The UNH Traditional Jazz Concert Series has been around a while, too; it's now beginning its 28th season. The Eagles were a part of the first season in 1980 and it’s an honor to have them back in Durham for the sixth time.
Tony Pringle, a founder of the band, is the musical leader and plays cornet, Stan Vincent is on trombone, and Billy Novick plays reeds. Peter Bullis is on banjo, Bob Pilsbury plays piano, Pam Pameijer is on drums, and Barry Bockus is the bassist.
The Eagles have an impressive repertoire of over 600 numbers including ragtime, old pop tunes, spirituals and gospel music and, of course the blues. Their style of traditional jazz style covers a wide range including the early New Orleans style, Chicago in the 1920's, 1930's small band jazz, and the revival of the 1940's and 1950's.
Five additional concerts round out the 2006-2007 Traditional Jazz Series. On October 16 classy pianist Bill Mays brings his long-running trio of bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Wilson to town. Mays’ style is sensitive and communicative, and he has played with a long list of modern jazz stars, everyone from Benny Golson to Sarah Vaughan.
Nicholas Payton, the young New Orleans trumpeter extraordinaire, reprises last year's appearance at Clark Terry's 85th birthday bash by bringing his quartet to UNH on November 13. He has played with many jazz greats including Terry, Doc Cheatham, Wynton Marsalis, and Joshua Redman., and while respectful of his jazz heritage, Payton continues to forge new ground in exciting ways.
On January 29, bassist Marshall Wood and vocalist Donna Byrne will be joined by bassist Matt Ballou, pianist Tim Ray, and drummer Jim Gwin for a loving tribute to the late, great bassist Ray Brown. This performance is the fourth annual Tommy Gallant Memorial Scholarship concert.
The Connecticut-based Galvanized Jazz Band returns to Durham on February 26. Led by cornet player Fred Vigorito, the GJB has thrilled generations of fans since 1971. The band plays a wide range of styles including hot Dixieland, New Orleans jazz, blues, rags, stomps, struts, spirituals, swing, and pop. Don't miss this one.
Saxophonist Dave Pietro and pianist Jonathan Katz visit campus on April 2 with musicians from their Japanese travels. Pietro's appearance in the series two years ago produced panoply of infectious and innovative Brazilian rhythms. His New York/Tokyo connection promises to be equally inspiring.
All concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. and will be held at the Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center. Tickets are $8; $6 for students and seniors. Season tickets are $40. Tickets are available at the UNH Memorial Union Building Ticket Office and at the door one hour prior to the concert. You may also order tickets online at http://www.unh.edu/mub/ or call 603-862-2290 for more information.
The Traditional Jazz Concert Series is co-sponsored by the UNH Music Department and the New Hampshire Library of Traditional Jazz. The library, established in 1978 by Dorothy Prescott, comprises books, recordings, and memorabilia and is housed at the UNH Dimond Library. Prescott's generous endowment funds its activities including the Traditional Jazz Series concerts.
For a brochure listing the upcoming season and other jazz events, call the UNH Department of Music at (603) 862-2404.