PULLMAN, Wash. – The WSU School of Music has a variety of concerts lined up for early September, including horn player Martin King, jazz group Gator Tail, and Italian jazz pianist Teo Ciavarella.
For a complete list of events visit the School of Music/WSU Calendar, https://calendar.wsu.edu/events/category/school-of-music/
Sept. 5 – Faculty Art Series: Martin D. King, clinical assistant professor of horn and music education, presents “New Favorites: New and Underperformed Works for Horn and Friends,” 8 p.m. in Bryan Hall Theatre. Playing with King, http://www.martinkingmusic.com/bio.html, will be Jeff Savage and Sarah Miller.
King will branch out from the tradition horn recital pieces, to play favorites written for horn in the last 50 years. Some works, like Brett Miller’s “Hunting Songs” and James Naigus’ “Spectra,” were written within the last several years. Others like Edward Gregson’s “Horn Concerto,” are works that have been around for decades but have been performed less than their quality would merit.
General admission is $10, seniors and non-WSU students are $5, and WSU students are free. All proceeds go to support music scholarships in the WSU School of Music.
Sept. 12 – Faculty Artist Series: “Jazz, Drenched with Blues and Funk,” featuring faculty ensemble Gator Tail, with special guest pianist Teo Ciavarella, 8 p.m. in Kimbrough Concert Hall.
Gator Tail, a Washington State University faculty quartet, features saxophonist Greg Yasinitsky; organist Brian Ward; guitarist Brad Ard; and percussionist Dave Jarvis. Italian pianist Ciavarella is considered one of Europe’s finest jazz artists.
The program will include originals by the members of the group including Ard’s “Digsville” and “Undercurrent;” Yasinitsky’s “Partial Eclipse” and “Nights of Wind and Water,” along with tunes from the recent Gator Tail CD including Ward’s “Count Dutch.”
Listeners who appreciate jazz with a dose of funky blues are in for a treat.
General admission is $10, seniors and non-WSU students are $5, and WSU students are free. All proceeds go to support music scholarships in the WSU School of Music.
Sept. 14 – Guest Recital: “Italian Jazz Pianist Teo Ciavarella in Concert,” 8 p.m., Kimbrough Concert Hall.
Performing with Ciavarella will be WSU Jazz Studies faculty members Greg Yasinitsky, director of the WSU School of Music, saxophone; Horace Alexander Young, saxophone; F. David Snider, bass; and David Jarvis, drums.
Ciavarella is recognized as one of Europe’s finest jazz artists. He has been featured on more than 50 albums and performed with many of the greatest jazz artists in the world including Jerry Mulligan, Eddie Gomez, David Sanchez and Geroge Garzone. Ciavarella lives in Bologna, Italy, and teaches at the Frescobaldi Conservatory in Ferrara.
“Teo is an incredible musician. I have had the privilege of performing with him in Italian clubs and conservatories,” said Yasinitsky. “Playing with Teo is one of the great musical thrills of my professional life. Also, he is a wonderful composer. I am sure that music lovers from throughout our region will love is beautiful, well-crafted compositions.”
A video of Ciavarella performing “St. Louis Blues” may be found on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY1p4zgPhhM.
The program will include Teo’s pieces “Arianna,” “A Place There Will Be,” “Pablo de Granada,” and his unique arrangement of “Besame Mucho.” Yasinitsky’s compositions “Partial Eclipse,” “Laura’s Bossa Nova,” and “Nights of Wind and Water” will also be performed.
Ciavarella’s appearance is made possible with the generous support of Allegro, the Student Association for Music Advocacy. The concert is free of charge and the public is invited.
For more information contact Greg Yasinitsky, 509-335-3898, yasinits@wsu.edu, or Sandra Albers, WSU School of Music, 509-335-4148, sandra_albers@wsu.edu