"Women in Jazz" is the focus of a presentation and performance by jazz flutist Galen Abdur-Razzaq, better known as Galen, March 18 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The free event is open to the public and will take place at noon in the Cultural Center in the Williams Building. (more)
The John Scofield and Joe Lovano Quartet performed on stage in Schwab Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus on Thursday, Jan. 27. Approximately 500 patrons gathered for the Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) jazz concert, which featured Scofield on guitar, Bill Stewart on drums, Matt Penman on bass and Lovano on saxophones. For photos from the quartet's time at University Park, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2416 online. (more)
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State's 2010-11 season features an array of professional touring music, theater and dance presentations, including classical violin superstar Joshua Bell in a solo recital and the Centre County debuts of the touring Broadway musicals Monty Python's "Spamalot," as well as "The Color Purple" and "Spring Awakening." The musical theater line-up also includes the classics "A Chorus Line" and "Fiddler on the Roof." (more)
Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader Terence Blanchard will perform with his quintet in a concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 20, in Schwab Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus. The New Orleans native recently won a Grammy Award, his third, for best improvised jazz solo for "Dancin' 4 Chicken," a track from Jeff "Tain" Watts' album, "Watts." (more)
The Monterey Jazz Festival took the stage in Eisenhower Auditorium on Tuesday, Feb. 16, treating the large audience to a two-set-plus-encore evening that lasted more than two hours. The tour group featured six prominent musicians: pianist Kenny Barron, violinist Regina Carter, vocalist Kurt Elling, guitarist Russell Malone, bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Johnathan Blake. The jazz festival tour is a promotion of the annual Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, Calif., which takes place every September and is in its 53rd year. For photos of the concert, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2216 online. (more)
When the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour brings its six stellar musicians to Penn State's Eisenhower Auditorium Feb. 16, one of those stars will be shining brighter than ever. Pianist Kenny Barron recently garnered the highest honor the United States bestows on jazz musicians when he became a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in a ceremony at New York City's Lincoln Center. The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour celebrates one of the longest-running and most important jazz festivals. (more)
Eisenhower Auditorium was filled with swinging jazz on Wednesday, Oct. 28, as the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band hit the stage in the name of late jazz trumpet master. Prior to the performance, high school and Penn State jazzers had the opportunity to learn from some of these masters during master classes organized by the Center for the Performing Arts as part of their educational outreach mission. To view photos of the event, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2172 and for photos from the high school master class at the State College Area High School, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2169 online. (more)
Members of the Dizzy GIllespie All Star Band, in town to perform at Penn State's Eisenhower Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 28, visited State College Area High School on Tuesday, Oct. 27, as part of Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts' (CPA) educational outreach mission. Led by John Lee (bass), band members James Moody (saxophone), Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Greg Gisbert (trumpet), Willie Jones III (drumset) and Duke Lee (auxiliary percussion) listened to the high school musicians play two songs they're learning for an upcoming competition, and then offered their insights on how to refine what they were playing. The professionals also sat in with the high schoolers, playing alongside them, and finished the afternoon with a performance of their own. For photos, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2169 online. (more)
The sixth annual All That's Jazz benefit for student scholarships will once again transform the Penn State Greater Allegheny Student Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 3. (more)
The sixth annual All That's Jazz student scholarship fundraiser at Penn State Greater Allegheny promises to be an exciting event to support students' financial needs. All proceeds are added to the Penn State Greater Allegheny Scholarship Fund, so guests will be contributing to students' success as they dine, dance, and enjoy the Irish pub-style atmosphere. Imported Irish beer, select Irish cocktails, and delicious cuisine and desserts will be available. (more)
