247 SECOND CONCERT OF JAZZ ARTIST SERIES SET FOR FEB. 8 AT MTSU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 31, 2007
CONTACT: Tim Musselman, 615-898-2493


(MURFREESBORO)—The A-P-S-9, a newly formed jazz nonet composed mainly of MTSU jazz faculty, will perform in the second of three-concert series known as the MTSU Jazz Artist Series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in the T. Earl Hinton Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus.
MTSU jazz faculty members Don Aliquo (tenor saxophone), Shawn Purcell (jazz guitar) and Jamey Simmons (jazz trumpet) are the co-leaders for A-P-S-9, whose name is derived from the first letters of their respective last names.
Aliquo, who is also the director of jazz studies at MTSU, said the trio decided to expand on the idea of composing original music for this specific instrumentation after a successful performance on radio station WPLN’s “Live in Studio C” program.
“I am very excited about our second concert (in the series) this year," Aliquo explained. "First of all, the proceeds will go toward a jazz scholarship for a deserving jazz studies major. Secondly, the group A-P-S-9 has written compositions specifically for this event. Finally, we are planning to record the concert live for commercial release.”
The nonet consists entirely of professional jazz musicians who are considered some of the top players in the region, many of whom are known nationally, Aliquo said. These instrumentalists, in addition to Aliquo, Purcell and Simmons, include Denis Solee (alto saxophone), Mike Jenner (baritone saxophone), Tyler Kuebler (baritone saxophone), David Loucky (trombone), Pat Coil (piano), Jim Ferguson (bass) and Tom Giampieto (drums).
Aliquo said all of the players are members of the MTSU jazz faculty with the exception of Solee, who is a Nashville top studio musician; Kuebler, who is an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; and Jenner, who is a graduate student and a jazz studies major at MTSU.
Aliquo said the Feb. 8 concert will consist of two sets. The first set will feature Slippin’, composed and arranged by Simmons; Central Park West by John Coltrane and arranged by Simmons; Love for Sale by Cole Porter and arranged by Purcell; and On Broadway by Weill, Mann, Lieber and Stoller and also arranged by Simmons.
Set two will feature Sequoia composed and arranged by Purcell; ZuZu's Petals, composed and arranged by Aliquo; Departure From the Garden, composed and arranged by Simmons and T49, composed and arranged by Aliquo.
Now in its eighth season, the MTSU Jazz Artist Series brings internationally renowned jazz artists to the region for performances and educational workshops. Past guest artists have included respected jazz musicians and educators such as clarinetist Eddie Daniels; saxophonists Benny Golson, Phil Woods, David Liebman and Dick Oatts; and Grammy-winning artists Slide Hampton, Jim McNeeley, Tim Hagans, Peter Erskine, Rufus Reid and Randy Brecker.
•TICKETS: Individual tickets for the Feb. 8 concert are $15 at the door. MTSU faculty, staff and students will be admitted free with a valid ID.
For more information on this and other events in the McLean School of Music, please visit www.mtsumusic.com or call 615-898-2493.
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