Visual and Performing Arts News

Don Keranen Memorial Concert

Both the R&D Big Band and the Jazz Lab Band were joined by two guest artists, both from the Twin Cities area. One of the two, Gus Sandberg, is a native of Chassell. He has a degree in music performance (saxophone) from the University of Wisconsin – Stephen’s Point, and has played with groups such as the Jack Brass Band, Mike Sterling, and the Irresistibles, and Dr. Mambo’s Combo. The other, Scott Agster, is a trombonist who studied for both bachelor and master’s degrees in music at the University of North Texas. He was worked with The Jack Brass Band, Salsa del Soul, and Tom Hunter and the Blues Frenzy.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

45 years of jazz

See the photo at the Mining Gazette, by Stacey Kukkonen.

Reminder: Celebrate 45 Years of Jazz at the Rozsa

Alumni will play a big role in the festivities, and a reception for them will follow the concert. “We’ve got alums from all over coming back,” Mike Irish, director of Jazz Studies, said. So far, the oldest will be Tim Nielsen ’76, and the youngest will be Andy Kurzeniewski ’10.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Annual Memorial Concert is fast approaching

Right now, the Michigan Tech jazz bands are putting the finishing touches on their performances for the upcoming annual Don Keranen Memorial Concert, just like every year. This year, however, is not just like every year: the jazz program is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

Celebrate! Forty-five Years of Jazz at Michigan Tech

A forty-fifth anniversary is a great reason to celebrate, and the jazz program at Michigan Technological University intends to party hearty.

It all starts on Friday, March 23, at 8:00 p.m. with the Off ‘Dem Jam Session at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Hancock.

The forty-fifth anniversary concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Rozsa Center. It will also be the twelfth annual Don Keranen Memorial Concert.

Read more at Michigan Tech News, by Dennis Walikainen.

Mike Irish Presents Jazz Night at the Orpheum Theater…and admission is FREE!! Come check out the groovy tunes in the beautiful Orpheum atmosphere… The event takes place on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The Orpheum is located at 426 Quincy St., Hancock, MI. The venue is a remodeled vaudeville theatre built in 1910. For more information, visit the Studio Pizza website.

KSO performs third show

Four pieces were performed, three of them being of classical composers and the final being a premiere of Michigan Tech’s very own Dr. Milton Olson. While all the pieces felt familiar they all had their own personalities that set them apart. Each piece felt as though a tragedy was being played out. It was very easy for the audience to envision the picture behind the music.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Mandy Barbul-Couch.

Olsson to premiere ‘Dialogues’ with KSO

Because of his knowledge of the KSO, Olsson also was able to give parts to players who may not get to show off their skills as often. “It’s an interesting work; there’s a solo for alto flute, a solo for electric guitar,” Neves said. “It’s challenging but fun because it’s personalized. Because of his knowledge of the KSO, Olsson also was able to give parts to players who may not get to show off their skills as often. “It’s an interesting work; there’s a solo for alto flute, a solo for electric guitar,” Neves said. “It’s challenging but fun because it’s personalized.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Zach Kukkonen.

KSO Performs Milt Olsson Composition

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra will perform the premier of Milt Olsson’s “Dialogues for Orchestra”. Conductor Joel Neves said the KSO commissioned Olsson, former conductor of the orchestra, to compose a new work that coincided with the ensemble’s 40th anniversary.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra performing at the Rozsa

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra is nearly ready to perform its third concert of the 2011-12 season. On February 18 at 7:30 pm, the KSO will not only kick off 2012 with the ever-popular William Tell Overture, but will also debut a brand-new piece by Milton Olsson. Olsson was the previous director of the KSO, before current director Dr. Joel Neves, and has written other pieces for Michigan Tech’s musical ensembles: in 1999, the KSO premiered his Konzertstück, and in 2000 the KSO and Michigan Tech Concert Choir teamed up to premier his Mass for Choir and Orchestra.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

Warm your cold winter bones and nourish your soul with some hot jazz, funk and blues at the Jazz Club Cabaret at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28, in the McArdle Theatre.

Mike Irish, director of Jazz Studies, says two dynamic groups–Jaztec and Momentum–will perform.

Irish has a broad background in jazz studies as both an educator and performer.

Jaztec continues in its great tradition of jazz standards and contemporary jazz, with their own creative twist. Mark Maguire, guitar; Caleb Roty, sax; Jack Matheson, bass; Michael Coburn, piano/vibes; and Kyle Frazier, drums, have created some wonderful arrangements of well-known tunes.

Momentum features Nick Black, saxes; Laura Black, keyboards; Jacob Posega, bass; and Troy Bouman, drums. They will perform some of the deepest grooves and funkiest tunes in the area.

Read more at Tech Today. Original article submitted by Bethany Jones.

Learn more about small jazz combos at Michigan Tech.