Jazz Band Classic at Jazz at Lincoln CenterHall
May 17, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE through 5-17-07
Contact:   Vanessa Rose, (212) 581-5933     vrose@nyys.org

STEVE TURRE PLAYS TROMBONE GREATS WITH JAZZ BAND CLASSIC AT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER

A Tribute to the Legendary Big Band Trombonists Is Featured for the Fifth Season Finale on May 17, 2007, at 7:30pm.

Trombone sensation Steve Turre is the guest artist with Jazz Band Classic to perform “Back Bone: A Tribute to the Legendary Big Band Trombonists” under the leadership of director Chris Winans. The 16-member jazz ensemble concludes its fifth season performing music of Glenn Miller, J.J. Johnson, Tommy Dorsey, and Bob Brookmeyer, as well as a première by Charles Schiermeyer, entitled Permission. Jazz Band Classic and Steve Turre perform in the Allen Room of Jazz at Lincoln Center on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at 7:30pm.

Known for his innovative music, jazz trombonist Steve Turre has played with McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, and, since 1984, the Saturday Night Live Band. Mr. Turre has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz for Best Trombone and for Best Miscellaneous Instrumentalist (conch shells). He has recorded the great standards as well as his own compositions with artists such as Cassandra Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Jon Faddis, and Pharoah Sanders.

Charles Schiermeyer has composed for the Brass Band of Battle Creek, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and, most recently, the Air Force Reserves Concert Band. He is the fourth jazz composer selected as part of the New York Youth Symphony’s commissioning program, First Music. Mr. Schiermeyer is a graduate student at Manhattan School of Music, studying under Michael Abene. He completed his undergraduate studies at MSM.

Chris Winans, concluding his début season as Jazz Band Classic’s director, is an active performer and educator. He is currently the jazz trumpet instructor at Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts, having taught at the University of Northern Colorado, where he directed the UNC Jazz Lab Band II and the UNC Salsa Band. Mr. Winans was a finalist in the National Trumpet Competition in Fairfax, Virginia, for two years, and received his B.M.E. and M.M. in performance from the University of Northern Colorado.

Jazz Band Classic, modeled on the big bands of the 1930’s and 40’s, re-invigorates the vanishing big band arrangements of the great exponents of jazz. Jazz Band Classic showcases New York City’s best young jazz talent in performances of traditional big band music along with the stylizations of the current jazz idiom.

Tickets for the May 17 performance are available for $20 by calling (212) 721-6500 or online at www.jalc.org. For group rates and more information, call (212) 581-5933 or visit nyys.org.