Capital University

Capital’s Annual Jazz Celebration Takes On World Music Focus, Introduces Fiesta Noche de la Plaza

Capital’s Annual Jazz Celebration Takes On World Music Focus, Introduces Fiesta Noche de la Plaza

Article Body
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Nichole Johnson
Assistant director of media relations
Capital University
(614) 236-6945


Capital’s Annual Jazz Celebration Takes On World Music Focus, Introduces Fiesta Noche de la Plaza

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Tuesday, April 10, 2007–Capital University’s annual jazz celebration will broaden its focus this year to emphasize world music, and take advantage of the newly completed Plaza at Mound Street by inviting the Central Ohio community to Fiesta Noche de la Plaza.

The newly named Jazz and World Music Festival, which will run Monday, April 16, through Sunday, April 22, features student and faculty ensemble concerts, both on campus and in the community, and world-class jazz artists in clinics, workshops and in concert.

Jazz activities coordinator and Big Band director Lou Fischer changed the event’s name from Jazz Week to take advantage of the Capital Conservatory of Music’s world percussion program and to acknowledge that music and jazz are global languages.

This year’s festival will feature percussion giant Ndugu Chancler as its artist-in-residence. An extremely active studio musician, Chancler has recorded with Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, John Lee Hooker, Kenny Rogers, Michael Jackson and more. He performed on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “Bad,” and was the drummer on the hit single “Billie Jean.” As a songwriter/composer Chancler co-wrote hits for Santana including “Dance Sister Dance,” “Reach For It” for George Duke, and “Let It Whip” for the Dazz Band.

His production credits include recordings for Flora Purim, Bill Summers and Toki, along with his own solo recordings “Ndugu and the Chocolate Jam Co.” and “Ndugu Chancler.” He has co-produced recordings for Santana, George Duke, The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Tina Turner and a group he co-leads, The Meeting, featuring Patrice Rushen and Ernie Watts. Through these associations, Chancler has garnered numerous gold and platinum albums and several Grammy Awards.

Another festival highlight is the new Fiesta Noche de la Plaza, to be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 20, on The Plaza at Mound Street, a pedestrian pavilion that runs through the center of Capital’s campus. The community is invited to join the Capital University Big Band and listen, dance and enjoy an outdoor dinner concert of Latino music, including mambo, cumbia, bolero, cha-cha-cha, Afro-Cuban, songo, Mozambique, guaracha and a little bit of soul.

Along with the Big Band, the concert will feature Chancler; composer Victor Lopez, former lead trumpet for Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine; saxophonist Gordon Towell, of Morehead State University; and trombonist Tony Baker, of the University of North Texas. Admission is free and open to the public. A dinner taco bar will be available for purchase. The cost is $10, and dinner tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (614) 236-7178.

View a complete list of events for the 2007 Jazz and World Music Festival. All events are free unless otherwise noted. For more information, please call the Conservatory of Music at (614) 236-6411.


30


Posted by D. Nichole Johnson on 4/10/2007 12:30:00 PM

Categories

  • Press Release
Search
Capital University
1 College and Main, Columbus, OH 43209-2394
614-236-6011
Nichole Johnson
Assistant Director, Public Relations
Capital University
Public Relations
1 College and Main
Columbus, OH
43209-2394
(614) 236-6945