Feb. 12, 1998
KU JAZZ ENSEMBLE I TO PERFORM IN CONCERT AT LIED CENTER
LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Jazz Ensemble I will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in the Lied Center at KU.
Special guest artists for the concert are Vince Mendoza, guest composer and conductor, and David Liebman, saxophone soloist.
Jazz Ensemble I is directed by Daniel J. Gailey, KU director of jazz studies. For this concert, the 18-member big band will be joined by three French horns and a tuba.
The program will include such tunes as "Ballerina on the Plus Sign" by Gailey; "The Song Is You" by Jerome Kern, arranged by Jim McNeely; and "El Vito En Gran Tomano," "I Dreamt of You," "Just Say Joe," "Orange Guitars," "Rain Codes," "Silhouette" and "Sketches (in eight movements)," all by Mendoza.
Since Mendoza's first musical alliance with drummer Peter Erskine in 1985, artists such as Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden, Andy Narell and John Abercrombie have prominently featured Mendoza's compositions and arrangements on their albums.
Mendoza's solo albums, "Start Here" and "Instructions Inside," were critical triumphs, and "Start Here" was one of Jazziz magazine's Top Picks. Mendoza recently was recognized as best composer-arranger by the Swing Journal critics' poll in Japan. His album "Sketches" was included in Billboard magazine's Top 10 of 1997. His work on a recently released CD, recorded as a tribute to Brian Wilson, brought him his second Grammy Award nomination for best instrumental arrangement.
Mendoza's work as an arranger also may be heard on the Yellowjackets' "Greenhouse" and with artists such as Chaka Khan, Joni Mitchell, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, Al DiMeola, Gino Vannelli and Joe Zawinul. His television music has been nominated for an Emmy Award, and his music for the World Cup closing ceremonies was broadcast worldwide.
Mendoza has been commissioned to compose for such groups as the Turtle Island String Quartet, Debussy Trio, L.A. Guitar Quartet, Metropole Orchestra and the Koeln Radio Orchestra. He conducts concerts of his music in Europe, Japan and Britain; he has appeared at the Montreux and Northsea Jazz Festivals; and his music was featured at the 1993 Berlin Jazz Festival.
A saxophonist, composer, author and educator, Liebman has recorded 75 CDs and albums under his own leadership and has been a featured sideman on 150 more. Nearly 200 of his original compositions have been recorded as well. His artistic output has ranged from straight ahead to chamber jazz, from fusion to avant garde.
Liebman's interest in jazz was sparked by seeing John Coltrane perform live in New York City clubs, so throughout high school and college, he pursued his jazz interest by studying with Lennie Tristano and Charles Lloyd. After graduating from New York University, New York City, with a degree in American history, he secured the saxophone-flute position with the group of Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones. Within two years, Liebman reached the zenith of his apprenticeship period when Miles Davis hired him. During his association with these two masters, Liebman began exploring his own music, first in the Open Sky Trio with Bob Moses and then with Richie Beirach in Lookout Farm, which was recognized as number one in the category Group Deserving Wider Recognition in the 1976 Down Beat magazine's Critics' Poll.
After several world tours in the late 1970's with musicians such as Chick Corea, John Scofield and Kenny Kirkland, Liebman rejoined Beirach. The two first performed and recorded as a duo, then formed the group Quest in 1981.
Quest recorded seven CDs through 1991, when the Dave Liebman Group was formed with keyboardist Phil Markowitz, guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Tony Marino and drummer Jamey Haddad.
Liebman has consistently placed in the top five of the Down Beat Critics' Poll since 1973. His teaching activities at universities and in clinic settings have taken him around the world. In 1989, he founded the International Association of Schools of Jazz, dedicated to networking educators and students from international jazz schools through periodic meetings, exchange programs and newsletters.
General admission tickets for the jazz concert are on sale in the KU box offices at the Lied Center, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall, 864-3982; and Student Union Activities, Kansas Union, 864-3477. Tickets are $5 for the public and $4 for students and senior citizens. VISA and MasterCard are accepted for telephone orders.
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