For the 12th consecutive year, the University of Oregon’s School of Music and Dance will be participating in the many events of Jazz Appreciation Month.
Jazz Appreciation Month — founded in 2001 by music historian John Edward Hasse — is designed to educate students about the style of music and celebrate the living American art form with a variety of performances and special guests.
The most notable events include the annual birthday bash of outstanding American composer and pianist Duke Ellington, on Sunday April 14th at The Jazz Station in West Eugene, followed by a community jazz concert featuring members from UO’s faculty and student body as well as performers from around the area on Wednesday April 24th in Bend, Oregon.
“It will be an absolute hoot!” said Steve Owen, professor of music and director of jazz studies. “Duke Ellington’s Birthday Bash gives us a chance to go back and explore compositions out of his many wonderful pieces.”
The events wrap up in Eugene with a show featuring honored artistic guest Stephen K. Kelly, Dye Family Professor of Music Emeritus at Carleton College, on Tuesday May 7th at the Collier House.
Jazz Appreciation Month not only gives faculty members but also students the chance to be a part of many events and performances to show off their special talents.
“The performances show that there is a vibrant jazz scene here at the University of Oregon and that it still has support” said Torrey Newhart a graduate student and Jazz pianist at the UO school of Music and Dance. “I think University of Oregon is unique in that younger people are involved in the jazz program which is stereo-typically not the case in other places. Jazz is viewed as an older style of music so it is very important that younger people are involved.”
For more events, dates and locations check out the UO School of Music and Dance website at: http://music.uoregon.edu/jazzmonth and download a jazzy tune to keep in the spirit of Jazz Appreciation Month.