NSU Jazz Ensemble to Celebrate CD Release with NSUBA, United Way

TAHLEQUAH - The Northeastern State University Jazz Studies Program recently released the debut album by the NSU Jazz Ensemble, "Hour of the Pearl." The album, featuring new original music by NSU faculty and students with one of the most respected performers in jazz today, is a first for any university in the state of Oklahoma.

Internationally recognized jazz trumpeter Scott Wendholt returned to NSU to be featured as guest artist on the album. Wendholt, a Denver native who resides in New York City, is a graduate of Indiana University and is considered to be one of the top trumpet performers in jazz today. He has recorded with jazz luminaries such as Vincent Herring, Don Braden, Kenny Garrett, and Christian McBride, and is the trumpet soloist for the world-famous Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

NSU Jazz will host a Broken Arrow CD release party Thursday, October 13, 2005 at the NSU Broken Arrow Campus. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a full jazz concert featuring the NSU Jazz Ensemble. The concert will also coincide with the end of the NSUBA fund-raiser for the United Way. Admission is free and is open to the public. The concert will mark the second such event in as many years for the NSU Jazz Ensemble at the BA campus.

"We are very excited to have the NSU Jazz Ensemble performing at the Broken Arrow campus, especially since the concert will be serving as the 'finale' to our campus-wide United Way drive. Students, faculty, staff and residents of the Broken Arrow area can enjoy this award-winning ensemble in a free concert and, if they desire to do so, can also make a contribution to the United Way campaign, said Ed Huckeby, NSUBA vice president for Academic Affairs.

Although some seating will be provided, the event will be an informal, "lawn chair" event in the outdoor area by the NSUBA Clocktower. In the event of threatening weather, the concert will move inside to the Visitors Center Gallery.

-We're hoping for a great fall evening, so everyone can enjoy the beauty of our campus and the music by this wonderful band,- said Huckeby.

The debut album features Northeastern State University-s Jazz Ensemble I, the flagship ensemble of the NSU Jazz Studies Program, under the direction of Arthur White. The album highlights the debut of new original compositions and arrangements by White, Paul Scea, and NSU Jazz Studies students Brent Deacon, Matt Bundy, Bradley Spears, and Mike Schmidt. Though NSU has long been a force in jazz performance and education in Oklahoma, this project signifies a new trend that hopes to add a new chapter in the history of NSU jazz.

-I think this concert will be so much fun, and we are honored to help the NSUBA community raise some money for a good cause,- said White.

"Hour of the Pearl" is on sale now at the NSU Jazz Lab for $12 and will be available for purchase the night of the concert. Donations of any size will also be taken for the United Way at the concert. For more information, contact the NSU Jazz Lab at 918-456-5511, extension 4602 or 4603.

10/05/2005

Published: 2005-10-05 00:00:00