A Grammy Award-nominated composer and pianist will join the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band for a performance on
Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Held at 7:30 p.m. in Michelsen Hall in the Noel Fine
Arts Center, the concert will feature Jim McNeely, a nine-time Grammy Award
nominee, composer in residence with the New York-based Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
and artist-in-residence with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band.
He and the UW-Stevens Point jazz groups will perform
works from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s most recent CD, “Up from the Skies,”
including the title track and “In This Moment.” The concert will also include “Der Seiltänzer (The Tightrope Walker)” and “Paukenspieler
(Kettle Drummer),” both inspired by works of contemporary painter Paul
Klee. They also will perform two works from the CD “Lickety Split:“ “Mel,” a
tribute to late drummer and band leader Mel Lewis, and “Extra Credit.”
Part of the Music Department Scholarship Series, the
concert is $8.25 for adults, $5.25 for senior citizens, $4.25 for students and
free the day of the concert for students with a UW-Stevens Point I.D. Tickets are
available at the University Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus
University Center, by calling 715-346-4100 or 800-838-3378 or at http://tickets.uwsp.edu. Tickets may also be
purchased at the door if available.
McNeely is a Chicago native with a long history of
performing, composing and teaching. He has played piano with the Thad Jones/Mel
Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Stan Getz Quartet and Phil Woods Quintet in addition to
many years with The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He also has worked with the Danish
Radio Big Band, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Swiss Jazz Orchestra and Stockholm
Jazz Orchestra.
He is musical director of the BMI Jazz Composers’
Workshop and is a faculty member of both
The Manhattan School of Music and William Paterson University. He has taught at
various jazz workshops and held residencies around the world.
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