University News

The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music welcomes vocalist Sunny Wilkinson and pianist Jon Mayer to the University of Memphis Jazz Week, Feb. 27 – March 3, 2007.  The annual concert series, now in its fourth decade, is a collaborative effort presented by faculty, students and world-class guest artists.

Kicking off the weekend, Sunny Wilkinson performs Friday night with the U of M Jazz Singers.  Considered one of the most flexible vocalists in the genre, she builds on her incredible range with twists in rhythm and tone. Wilkinson has performed with the Count Basie Band, Marvin Stamm, Bill Watrous and Edgar Winter.

Bop pianist Jon Mayer and his trio will join the University’s popular Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra on Saturday night.  Mayer began his career working with John Coltrane and Chet Baker and then moved on to gigs with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan and the Manhattan Transfer. Finally landing in Los Angeles in the 1980s, Mayer began performing as a soloist and with his own groups.  The LA Times calls Mayer, “A consistently inventive player with a rich harmonic imagination and an innately upbeat sense of swing, he is always a pleasure to hear.”

Schedule for Jazz Week:

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.    Blue Ascendance

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.    Student Jazz Combos

Thursday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.    Faculty Jazz Players                       

Friday, March 2, 7:30 p.m.    Sunny Wilkinson and the U of M Jazz Singers

Saturday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.    Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra and the Jon Mayer Trio 

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