MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at 847-491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

February 1, 2005

Top Jazz Artists to Perform

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University will host some of jazz’s hottest musicians this winter, including Bob Ravenscroft, Anthony Molinaro and two new faculty members, as they warm up the cold nights at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, and other Northwestern Evanston campus venues, as noted below.

Trombonist Andy Baker, a new School of Music faculty member, will be featured in Jazz Night III at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Pick-Staiger. Known worldwide for his genre-transcending talent, Baker has appeared with Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra. Northwestern music faculty members Don Owens and Daniel J. Farris will conduct. The combo coordinator is Joel Spencer. Tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for full-time students.

Hailed as one of today’s top young pianists, Northwestern alumnus Anthony Molinaro will be joined by bassist Eric Hochberg and drummer Paul Wertico during the Anthony Molinaro Trio concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at Pick-Staiger. Winner of the 1997 Naumburg International Piano Competition, Molinaro is known for his original compositions as well as his own versions of Beethoven and Mozart pieces. Tickets are $12 for the general public; $8.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $5.50 for students.

Tenor saxophonist Chip McNeill will perform at Regenstein Recital Hall during Combofest at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. A professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, McNeill has recorded and performed with artists Arturo Sandoval, Frank Sinatra and Dizzy Gillespie. He will coach, rehearse, lead clinics and perform with Northwestern student jazz combos during his visit to the Evanston campus. Daniel J. Farris will conduct. Tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

New York University (NYU) professor Jim McNeely will take the stage at Pick-Staiger during the Jazz Band concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. A composer and arranger for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, McNeely teaches jazz, piano and composition at NYU and will perform with and conduct the Northwestern University Jazz Band and various combos during a program that includes an original chart he wrote for the Jazz Band. Daniel J. Farris will conduct. Joel Spencer is the combo coordinator. Tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

Trumpet player Tito Carrillo, another new School of Music faculty member, will demonstrate his skills with the Jazz Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Pick-Staiger. A Texas native, Carrillo’s high-energy playing, improvisatory brilliance and keen duet work have had a major impact on the Chicago jazz scene. Don Owens will conduct. Tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

To order tickets, call the Pick-Staiger Ticket Office at (847) 467-4000.