October 12, 1999
Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.
LAWRENCE - The University of Kansas Jazz Ensemble I will present its first concert of the 1999-2000 season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, in the Lied Center. Steve Owen, director of jazz studies at the University of Oregon, will be guest composer and saxophone soloist for the concert. Dick Wright, KU professor emeritus of jazz history, will be master of ceremonies.
The 19-piece jazz band, directed by Dan Gailey, will perform such works as "Days of Wine and Roses," arranged by Maria Schneider; "Epic Pepper Queen" by Joey Sellars; "Extra Credit" by Jim McNeely; "Industrial Secrets" by KU alumnus Jesse Krebs; "Ladybug Caucus" by Gailey; "Some Circles" by Schneider; "Uprising" by Ken Schaphorst; and "In The Tradition," "In Your Tender Care," "The Goombay Smash" and "Waltz for My Children," all by Owen.
A nationally known composer, arranger, soloist, clinician, and educator, Owen teaches courses at Oregon in jazz theory, arranging, improvisation, repertoire study and pedagogy. He directs the Oregon Jazz Ensemble and two of the school's 10 jazz combos. The former assistant director of jazz studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, Owen appears at high school and college jazz festivals throughout the country, and has been a clinician at the KU Jazz Festival three times in the past eight years. In 1991, he was one of three winners of the coveted Ersted Award, the University of Oregon's top faculty award for distinguished teaching.
A composer and arranger of national prominence, Owen's works have been performed by Bobby McFerrin, Dave Weckl and Ann Marie Moss, as well as the nation's finest college and professional jazz ensembles. Owen's compositions have also been performed at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference by various ensembles, including the United States Air Force Airmen of Note and KU Jazz Ensemble I.
General admission tickets for the KU jazz concert are now on sale in the KU box offices: Lied Center, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall, 864-3982; and SUA, 864-3477. Tickets are $5 for the public and $4 for students and senior citizens. Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.