PULLMAN, Wash. — Saxophonist and composer Jordon Ruwe will highlight the 2001 Washington State University Jazz Festival Nov. 7 in Washington State University’s Kimbrough Music Building.
Ruwe’s 1 p.m. concert in Kimbrough Concert Hall also will feature the WSU student groups the vocal jazz ensemble VOJAZZ directed by Gus Kambeitz, and Jazz Big Band, directed by Greg Yasinitsky. From 12:30-1 p.m., Jazz Northwest, the WSU faculty jazz sextet, featuring woodwind artist and vocalist Horace Alexander Young, saxophonist Yasinitsky, trumpeter David Turnbull, pianist Charles Argersinger, percussionist David Jarvis and bassist Kambeitz, will present a noon concert in Kimbrough Concert Hall.
Ruwe is a sensational, Seattle-based musician, Yasinitsky said. The guest musician has performed with many of the top figures in jazz, including Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker, Diane Schuur, Mike Mandel, Gene Harris, Dexter Gordon, Dave Friesen and Guitar Shorty. Additionally, Ruwe is recognized internationally for his acclaimed jazz books. Also, he has an enviable reputation as a teacher. His own studies were with Art Pepper, Joe Allard, Charlie Mariano and Tom Solberg.
The program for the gala concert will include Oliver Nelson’s arrangement of
the soulful blues “I Remember Bird” and Frank Mantooth’s arrangement of the up tempo bebop classic “Cherokee.” The concert will conclude with Young’s retro-swing composition “Saturday Night at the Eldorado Ballroom.” In addition to saxophonist Ruwe, featured soloists will include saxophonists Scott Ryckman and Sparky LaPlante, trumpeter Matt Reid, vocalist Julie Silvera-Jensen and pianist Kelvin Monroe.
The festival also will feature school groups from throughout the Northwest. From 8:20-11 a.m., and from 2:20-4 p.m., school big bands will be presenting adjudicated performances.
Clinics will be presented throughout the day, including saxophone, trumpet, low brass and rhythm section clinics at 11 a.m. in the Kimbrough Music Building.
All of the events are open to the public without charge.
The WSU Jazz Festival is supported by the WSU School of Music and Theatre Arts and by a grant from the WSU Visual, Literary and Performing Arts Committee.
