Grammy Award-winning alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett returns to the Lawrence University stage with his jazz quintet for an encore performance — 14 years after his Appleton debut — Friday May 2 at 8 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel in the final concert of the 2013-14 Lawrence Jazz Series.
Tickets, at $22-24 for adults, $20-22 for seniors and $17-19 for students, are available at the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749 or boxoffice@lawrence.edu.
Garrett, who got his start as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978, has emerged as the preeminent alto saxophonist of his generation. Renowned for his talents as a soloist as well as his compositions as a bandleader, Garrett visits Lawrence in the midst of an international tour and in the wake of another Grammy nomination for his recent album “Pushing the World Away.”
Lawrence faculty saxophonist Jose Encarnacion says Garrett ranks along side jazz giants Charlie Parker and Julian “Cannonball” Adderely as “one of the most important alto saxophone voices in jazz music.”
“Kenny Garrett is one of my heroes and biggest inspiration,” said Encarnacion. “He is one of the most important alto saxophone players in the history of jazz. His solos are in perfect harmony with the universe.”
Praised by AllMusic.com for writing jazz compositions with “that mercurial something,” Garrett is known for his distinctive sound, simultaneously vigorous and melodic. He has worked with a laundry list of jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey and Woody Shaw.
Garrett will be joined on the Chapel stage by his accomplished bandmates: bassist Corcoran Holt; drummer McClenty Hunter; pianist Vernell Brown and percussionist Rudy Bird.
About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.
