Randy Brecker joins WMU jazz ensembles in Grand Rapids showcase

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker will join the Western Michigan University Jazz Quartet, Gold Company and University Jazz Orchestra for a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct.. 7, at St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids.

This event will be presented to attendees of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans annual conference, held in Grand Rapids this year, and is open to the general public. WMU College of Fine Arts Dean Daniel Guyette encourages arts enthusiasts and ArtPrize patrons to visit the annual Frostic School of Art ArtPrize exhibition at WMU's Grand Rapids campus and round out their evening with this world-class jazz showcase.

Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students, and are available from Miller Auditorium online or by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.

Western Jazz Quartet

The Western Jazz Quartet has performed on five continents and received rave reviews for their six CDs of original music. Their activities range from performing for school children of all ages to touring and recording with artists including Randy Brecker, Bobby McFerrin, Stefon Harris, Art Farmer, Tim Hagans and Billy Hart. Recent highlights include residencies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, Russia, and the Mozambique International Music Festival.

University Jazz Orchestra

This award-winning 18-member ensemble, directed by Scott Cowan, has received international acclaim for its high performance standards and creative approach to big band jazz. Recognitions include three victories in the college big band category of the Down Beat Magazine annual DB Student Music Awards, a heralded performance in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, 25 consecutive Outstanding Band recognitions at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, and featured performances for the International Association for Jazz Education Conferences in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Gold Company

Gold Company is widely recognized as one of the most successful and prestigious collegiate vocal jazz programs in the world. The ensembles perform a wide variety of repertoire which covers all styles in the contemporary vocal idiom. Gold Company combines the fundamental musical elements from the traditional choral style with stylistic characteristics from the jazz vernacular with an emphasis on improvisation and swing.

Randy Brecker

Jazz trumpeter and composer Randy Brecker has helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for more than four decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists including James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Parliament/Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa. As a composer, performer and in-demand Yamaha clinician, Randy Brecker continues to influence and inspire young musicians around the world.

For more information about the concert, visit wmich.edu/music or call (269) 387-4667.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.