Mardi Gras is bringing about a lively time down in the Delta. Call it a coincidence, but The University of Memphis is right in tune with the excitement.
Jazz Week, a collaboration of nationally renowned jazz musicians with faculty and students, is set to kick off Tuesday, Feb. 27 and continue through March 3.
The week-long celebration of jazz is making its 27th appearance on campus, and according to professor of jazz studies Jack Cooper, this year's bill is nothing short of the world-class music that has been featured in years past.
The show gets underway with a 7:30 p.m. performance by the University of Memphis Jazz Singers in conjunction with the Charlie Wood Group.
Memphis native Charlie Wood, a premier player nominee for the past four years, is responsible for the keys, Renardo Ward has the drums and Gerard Harris of Kool and the Gang is bringing the guitar to the Harris Concert Hall. Tickets for opening night are $10, $7 for senior citizens and non-U of M students, and free to U of M students.
Blue Ascendance, a contemporary pop-rock/jazz act, will descend on the Harris stage the following night -- led by assistant professor of jazz studies Tim Goodwin. Sharing the spotlight will be The U of M Jazz Combos, and several of improvisational group acts ranging from duos on up. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free.
Thursday's line-up has The U of M Faculty Jazz Players as well as The Tennessee-Knoxville Jazz Faculty. Admission is also free for these events.
Friday night will bring a unique act to the Harris Concert Hall. Four grand pianos will grace the stage with the Contemporary Piano Ensemble, "the only act of its kind in the world," said Cooper. The group performs at 7:30 p.m.
"This city has produced some of the most famous pianists in the history of jazz," Goodwin said in a press release.
According to Cooper, alumnus James Williams has arranged a tribute to one of Memphis own, Phineas Newborn Jr., consisting of world-class musicians.
A $10 charge will grant entry to this rare occasion -- $7 for seniors and non-U of M students and admission remains free to students of The U of M.
"The week will prove to be one of the most exciting in years," Goodwin said.
At its Saturday culmination, 12 high school jazz bands will be part of a festival where the best performance will be awarded the opening slot for the night show. The festival kicks off at 8 a.m.
Matinees include the Cooper's 17-piece jazz ensemble at noon.
The ensemble has taken lead sheets from guest artists Williams and Donald Brown and added a big-band element.
"The students are my staff of arrangers," Cooper said. "Students are very involved, and they're literally providing the music for the artists. They're all great arrangers."
Workshops with pianists Williams and Brown will follow at 1 p.m.
At the end of the festival, the Communication and Fine Arts Division will present distinguished artist awards to both Williams and Brown before they join Cooper's 17-piece Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra to close. This group of U of M musicians have a lasting reputation of quality, according to the school of music, and span a spectrum of styles from Duke Ellington to modern sounds.
Tickets for the closing performance will be $10, $7 for non-U of M students and free for U of M students.
