Free lunchtime concerts featured in Bronco Mall
March 5, 2004
KALAMAZOO--Veteran Gold Company member Justin Avery offers free lunchtime performances every Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of March on the Bronco Mall Center Stage in the Bernhard Center at Western Michigan University. All performances begin at noon and are open to the public.
"Justin is a terrific, multi-talented performer," says Dr. Stephen Zegree, director of Gold Company and Avery's piano teacher and mentor. "He is an accomplished singer and pianist, but perhaps his greatest talents can be found in his abilities as a songwriter."
Avery's keyboard and vocal shows on Center Stage will include a few of his original songs and covers of songs made famous by a featured artist of the day. A different artist or group will be featured at each of the seven performances.
Tuesday, March 9 - James Taylor
Thursday, March 11 - Prince
Tuesday, March 16 - Paul Simon
Thursday, March 18 - Billy Joel
Tuesday, March 23 - Sting
Thursday, March 25 - The Beatles
Tuesday, March 30 - Stevie Wonder
Avery is a senior jazz studies major from Traverse City, Mich. He is a former longtime member of Gold Company and most recently did vocals with the highly select Gold Company Sextet. In the past three months, the sextet has performed in packed concert halls in Eastern Europe and at the International Association of Jazz Educators Convention in New York City.
"Top of the Mountain," an original composition by Avery, was included on Gold Company's CD, "25," which celebrated the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble's 25th anniversary in 2003.
The Justin Avery Series in the Bronco Mall is sponsored by the Student Entertainment Team. For more information, contact Whitney Edwards at <w2edward@wmich.edu> or 269 387-0482.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu