Sept. 23, 2011 | WMU News
General admission tickets are $12, $10 for seniors and $5 for WMU students. They are available at the door and through the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office at millerauditorium.com/som, (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.
The concert will feature works by legendary composers Duke Ellington and Antonio Carlos Jobim. It will culminate with the world premiere of a piece written specifically for the University Jazz Orchestra by Crotty. Dr. Dan Jacobson, WMU professor of music, will lead a pre-concert discussion beginning at 7 p.m.
The award-winning University Jazz Orchestra is directed by Dr. Scott Cowan, professor of jazz studies at WMU. This 18-member ensemble has received international acclaim for its high performance standards and creative approach to big band jazz. The band has performed with many guest artists including the New York Voices, Tom Harrell, Bob Brookmeyer, Bob Berg, Rob McConnell, Billy Hart, John Clayton, Randy Brecker, Kenny Werner, Conrad Herwig, Bob Mintzer, John Fedchock and Stefon Harris.
Mike Crotty is a versatile instrumentalist, composer, conductor and producer. He plays trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophones and other woodwinds. During his Air Force career, he often subbed on the Airmen of Note as well as arranged numerous pieces for the band. Throughout his musical career, he has performed with numerous icons, including: Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Milton Berle, Bob Hope and George Burns. Crotty has been a mainstay in recording studios across the country since 1965, having written and played on thousands of recording sessions for film, television and commercial recordings.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/music or contact Matt Jensen in the WMU School of Music at matthew.d20.jensen@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4678.
