APPLETON, WIS. — The renowned American Brass Quintet and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis highlight Lawrence University’s 2007-08 “Performing Arts at Lawrence” season.
Hailed by Newsweek magazine as “the high priests of brass,” the American Brass Quintet visits the Lawrence Memorial Chapel April 19 for the fourth and final Artist Series concert. Since making its public debut in 1960, the ABQ, with more than 45 recordings, has produced the largest body of serious brass chamber music ever recorded by one ensemble.
Marsalis, a three-time Grammy winner and founder of the Marsalis Music label, brings his acclaimed musical palette to the stage of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in downtown Appleton Nov. 10 in a “jazz weekend” Jazz Series performance. Widely considered one of his generation’s greatest jazz musicians, Marsalis has released 20 CDs in his illustrious career, including 2006’s critically acclaimed “Braggtown.”
The Brentano String Quartet, which has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious venues, opens the Artist Series Oct. 20. Praised as an ensemble of “exceptional insight and communicative gifts” by London’s Daily Telegraph, the Brentano String Quartet received the United Kingdom’s Royal Philharmonic Award for most outstanding debut in 1997.
The nine-member, all-male vocal ensemble Cantus showcases its youthful vitality and polished nuance Feb. 23. Founded in 1995, the Minnesota-based ensemble has recorded eight CDs and performed more than 300 concerts throughout the United States and Europe. Shahzore Shah, a 2001 Lawrence graduate, is a tenor with the group.
Classical pianist Jon Kumura Parker, whose audiences have included Queen Elizabeth II, the U.S. Supreme Court and the prime minister of Japan, displays his keyboard virtuosity March 7. His extensive concert career includes guest soloist performances with nearly every major orchestra in the United States and Canada, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Houston Symphony. He also collaborates regularly with the Tokyo Quartet.
The two-men, two-women vocal quartet New York Voices, whose jazz-rooted vocals flash Brazilian, R & B, classical and pop influences, opens the Lawrence Jazz Series Nov. 9 with the first of two “jazz weekend” concerts.
Chris Potter’s Undergrounds unleash their funk grooves Feb. 8. A tenor saxophonist, Potter was long-time sideman to legendary bassist Dave Holland and was the 2000 recipient of Denmark’s Jazzpar Prize, becoming the youngest winner in the award’s 17-year history.
Drummer Matt Wilson, well known for his “joyful spirit,” along with his band Arts and Crafts, closes the Jazz Series May 23. Wilson was named the Jazz Journalists Association’s “Drummer of the Year” in 2003 and was voted the no. 1 “rising star drummer” three straight years (2003-05) in the annual Downbeat international critic’s poll.
Season subscriptions to either the artist, jazz, or a “favorite 4” series that allows subscribers to select any combination of four concerts from either series, are available through August 27 at $70-$62, with discounts available to senior citizens and students. Single-concert tickets will go on sale Oct. 1. With the exception of the Marsalis concert, all performances will be held in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, 510 E. College Ave., Appleton.
Additional information on both concert series, including ticket prices, seating charts and ways to order is available at www.lawrence.edu/news/performingartsseries or by calling the Lawrence University Box Office, 920-832-6749.
