URI Big Band to perform at Lincoln Center
KINGSTON, R.I. -- April 14, 1999 -- Here's something to toot about. URI's
Big Band will head to New York City on April 29 to perform at the famed
Lincoln Center.
The band's program consists of songs by the late, great Duke Ellington
who has come to be regarded as one of the foremost musicians of the 20th
century. Ellington wrote more than 1,200 compositions and lead the Duke
Ellington Orchestra for 50 years. Although he did not invent the musical
medium of the jazz orchestra (the big band), Ellington popularized it, gaining
fans in all segments of American society and abroad.
URI's Big Band will perform Ellington in honor of Ellington's 100th
birthday which is being celebrated throughout the world this year. The actual
birth date is April 29, the same day the URI Jazz Band performs.
The band is scheduled to play for an hour as part of the Lincoln Center's
spring afternoon concert series. The URI group will also get a chance to
tour the facilities.
URI's Music Department Jazz Program, under the direction of Professor
Joe Parillo, has been establishing a name for itself over the past few years.
Each spring since 1991, it hosts a Jazz and World Music Festival on the
Kingston Campus. The festival has brought in such jazz greats as vibraphonists
Gary Burton and Jay Hoggard, pianist JoAnn Brackeen, trombonist Hal Crook,
and guitarist Mick Goodrick.
The URI Big Band began recording in 1992. The same group took first place
at the MIT New England Jazz Festival in 1994. Since then, the band has been
playing throughout the state and New England.
Parillo will conduct the band at the Lincoln Center. Violinist and URI
Music Professor Ann Danis will be a guest performer with the URI Big Band.
The trip is supported by the College of Arts and Science's Hope and Heritage
Fund. Listed below are the 23 students (with their hometowns) who will perform
at the Lincoln Center:
Name Hometown
Nahum Mitnik Barrington, R.I.
Mike Myers Barrington, R.I.
A.J. Rapp BayShore, N.Y.
Louisa Gelfuso Burrillville, R.I
Phil Monte Cranston, R.I.
Ray Votolato Cranston, R.I.
Rick Silvia Darmouth, Mass.
Kerrie Shirley Kingston, R.I.
Paul Saunders North Kingstown, R.I.
Andrew Wiza North Kingstown, R.I.
Gregg Charest North Smithfield, R.I.
Rebecca Bilodeau Queensbury, N.Y.
Julie Raimondi Scituate, R.I.
Cheryl Nowak Spencer, Mass.
Chris Lee Syracuse, N.Y.
John Fulton Topsfield, Mass.
Valerie Improta Warwick, R.I
Wendy Watkins Warwick, R.I.
Steve Pasetti Westerly, R.I.
Matthew Maley Westerly, R.I.
Sarah Wood Westerly, R.I.
Chris Bellotti West Warwick, R.I.
Jarrod Gorman Woonsocket, R.I.
For More Information: Jan Sawyer, 874-2116
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