Grammy-winning trumpeter set for jazz concert Saturday

Monday, April 2, 2012

 

Grammy-winning trumpeter set for jazz concert 

Oklahoma State University will host its annual jazz festival Saturday, April 14, culminating with a concert featuring five-time Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker and OSU jazz artist in residence drummer Stockton Helbing.

The concert starts at 8 p.m. in the concert hall of the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts.

"The festival is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talent, as well as be mentored by two highly recognizable musicians," festival co-director Ryan Gardner said.

The festival brings seasoned musicians to work with music students. "OSU is excited to host an event like this," Gardner said. "The audience is going to be floored by the music of these very highly recognizable musicians and our students. It will be unforgettable."

Brecker has performed with big-name artists that include James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan and David Sanborn. The concert also will feature Helbing who has worked with artists including jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson and singers Erykah Badu and Jennifer Holliday.

Brecker's visit to Stillwater will include a jazz masterclass for festival participants and an evening performance with the OSU Jazz Ensemble I. About 100 high school students from Oklahoma and Texas, and two OSU jazz ensembles are expected to participate in the day-long event.

The Saturday evening concert is open to the public and tickets are $6 for students and seniors, while general admission is $8. For more information, phone (405) 744-6163 or visit http://music.okstate.edu.

The festival is directed by OSU music professors Gardner and Paul Compton. The event is sponsored by the OSU Office of the President, OSU Institute for Creativity and Innovation, and OSU Department of Music, which is one of 24 departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.