WMU News - Trio of chances to hear the best in vocal jazz

Trio of chances to hear the best in vocal jazz

March 4, 2008

KALAMAZOO--Add concerts by recording artists Curtis Stigers and New York Voices to a festival featuring Western Michigan University's award-winning Gold Company, and what do you have? The makings of what renowned vocal jazz professor and Gold Company director Dr. Stephen Zegree calls "Vocal Jazz Week" at WMU.

WMU's School of Music will host three concerts Tuesday through Saturday, March 11-15, leading up to and closing out the Gold Company Invitational Vocal Jazz Festival. The annual celebration brings 20 high school and college vocal jazz ensembles from five states to WMU's campus to listen, learn and perform.

The following three performances will be held in the Dalton Center Recital Hall and are open to the public. General admission seating ranges from $10 to $15 and is $5 for students.

Vocal Jazz Week performances

Tuesday, March 11, 8:15 p.m.
New York Voices
Festivities begin with the Grammy Award winning New York Voices. The group, renowned for its excellence in jazz, recently released its first solo album in nearly a decade. "A Day Like This" (MCG Jazz) represents the versatility of group members Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader and Peter Eldridge, as well as the breadth of musical styles made possible by their collective range and expertise. All 14 tracks on "A Day Like This" were arranged by members of New York Voices, with Meader and Eldridge doubling up on tenor saxophone and piano, respectively. General admission tickets for New York Voices are $15 and $5 for students. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858 or by visiting the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.

Friday, March 14, 8:15 p.m.
Curtis Stigers
Next up is singer, songwriter and saxophonist Curtis Stigers. Stigers pushes the boundaries of conventional jazz performance and expands the repertory. His most recent recording, "Real Emotional," delivers a 12-pack of new standards and distinctive sounds. Stigers will be joined in concert by WMU faculty member Keith Hall on drums, Matthew Fries on piano and Cliff Schmitt on bass. General admission tickets for Curtis Stigers are $15 and $5 for students and will be available at the door. To reserve tickets in advance, call (269) 387-4689.

Saturday, March 15, 8 p.m.
WMU's Gold Company
Gold Company, WMU's award-winning vocal jazz ensemble, will cap Vocal Jazz Week at WMU and close the 28th annual Gold Company Invitational Vocal Jazz Festival. The group is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary and has just released its latest album, appropriately named "30," in observance of this milestone. Many of the songs on the recording were arranged or written by current or former Gold Company members, and several of these songs will be showcased during Saturday's performance. Tickets for WMU's Gold Company at the Dalton Center are $10 and $5 for students. General admission tickets for Gold Company are $10 and $5 for students and will be available at the door. To reserve tickets in advance, call (269) 387-4689.

Media contact: Kevin West, (269) 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu

WMU News
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