Capital University Celebrates 30 Years of Jazz with Annual Jazz Week Festival April 3-9

Capital University Celebrates 30 Years of Jazz with Annual Jazz Week Festival April 3-9

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Thursday, March 16, 2006 – Capital University will celebrate 30 years of jazz at the Conservatory of Music during its 2006 Jazz Week Festival Monday, April 3, through Sunday, April 9.

This annual, weeklong celebration features dozens of student and faculty ensemble concerts, both on campus and in the community, and a special banquet to honor 30 years of jazz studies and music industry at Capital.

This year's guest artist in residence is Fred Hamilton http://www.fredhamilton.com/ , a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and professor in the jazz studies at the University of North Texas. He teaches guitar, jazz improvisation and a rhythm section master class and directs the guitar ensembles.

Hamilton has played bass or guitar with Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, Cedar Walton, Mike Stern, James Moody, George Garzone, David Liebman, Marvin Stamm, Bill Mays, Kenny Wheeler, Art Lande and many others. He is the bassist and guitarist in the Earl Harvin Trio and has toured and recorded four albums since the group's formation in 1993. He is a founding member of the group Brahma, and in it plays guitars, dobro, the Hindustani slide guitar and banjo.

Before earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Northern Colorado, Hamilton played guitar, composed and arranged for the Commanders Jazz Ensemble in the U.S. Air Force with the NORAD Command Band. Growing up in Denver, Colo., he studied with Jim Atkins, original rhythm guitarist with the Les Paul Trio. Other influential guitarist in the Denver area during his youth was the legendary Johnny Smith.

The Jazz Week festival also includes the daylong Jazz Ensemble Invitational, which unites middle school, high school, collegiate and community jazz ensembles from within a five-state region in a friendly, non-competitive, educational setting. The invitational is judged by internationally, nationally and regionally recognized jazz experts and is sanctioned by the International Association for Jazz Education as a non-competitive festival.

Jazz Week 2006 highlights include:

• Alumni Reception and Jam Session - A welcoming event where visiting alumni can relax and mingle with faculty, students, administrators and others. Music will be provided by various jazz ensembles. The evening will conclude with a jam session, so guests should feel free to bring their horn and join in! The reception will be held from 8-11 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in the Crusader Club on the first floor of the Harry C. Moores Campus Center.

• Jazz Ensemble Invitational and Vocal Jazz Workshop - Alumni are invited to attend workshop in Mees Hall on Friday, April 7, for a full day of performances and clinics featuring Capital University faculty and students, distinguished guest artists and jazz ensembles from a five-state region.

• Jazz Ensemble Invitational Closing Concert - The Jazz Ensemble Invitational closing concert at 6 p.m. Friday, April 7, in Mees Hall. It will feature the Capital University Big Band and three alumni big bands – one for each decade of jazz at Capital.

• 30th Anniversary Celebration Banquet - Alumni who have been involved in the Jazz Studies or Music Industry programs at Capital, whether as a major or performer in any ensemble; current students; faculty; and jazz enthusiasts are invited to attend a 30th Anniversary celebratory banquet in the Mezzanine of the Harry C. Moores Campus Center following the Jazz Ensemble Invitational Closing Concert on Friday April 7. Dinner will be served at 8:30 p.m. The estimated cost is $20 per person.

Jazz Week Festival is supported by many corporations, local businesses and organizations, including 12 Points Graphics and Apparel; Alfred Music Inc.; Bexley Copy Shop; Bexley Monk Restaurant and Bar; Colonial Music; Columbus Percussion; Connell's Maple Lee Flowers and Gifts; Graeter's Ice Cream; International Association for Jazz Education; The Jazz Arts Group; Radio Café; Stanton's Sheet Music; and Wendy's.

For more information, please call (614) 236-6285, e-mail lfischer@capital.edu, or visit http://www.capital.edu/ .

Nichole Johnson
Assistant director of media relations
Assistant to the president
Capital University
(614) 236-6945

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