August 31, 1999
LAWRENCE -- The acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Kenny Werner will visit the University of Kansas Wednesday, Sept. 22, for a day of workshops and clinics for KU jazz students and a concert at 7:30 p.m. in Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy Hall.
For the public performance, Werner will be backed by two of Kansas City's finest jazz artists, bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Todd Strait.
Since 1987, Werner has been on the faculty of the jazz department of the New School in New York City. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and he was commissioned to compose and conduct a memorial piece for Duke Ellington at St. John the Divine Church in New York. He continues to tour, lead his own trio, and work as a pianist and arranger for Broadway star Betty Buckley.
Werner is active as a clinician and teacher on campuses throughout this country and abroad. He actively publishes in music and health magazines and, in January 1997, his book, "Effortless Mastery," was published.
Werner's appearance at KU is made possible by the Gregory Harding Memorial Jazz Fund. General admission tickets for the jazz concert are now on sale in the KU box offices: Lied Center, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall, 864-3982, SUA Office 864-3477. Tickets are $7 for the public and $5 for students and senior citizens. Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.