[200}TROMBONIST/COMPOSER/ARRANGER MCKEE HEADLINES 1st JAZZ SERIES CONCERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 13, 2008
CONTACT: Tim Musselman, 615-898-2493


TROMBONIST/COMPOSER/ARRANGER MCKEE HEADLINES 1st JAZZ SERIES CONCERT

(MURFREESBORO)—The 2008-2009 MTSU Jazz Artist Series will kick off the new season with trombonist/composer/arranger Paul McKee, along with the MTSU Jazz Ensemble I and the MTSU Graduate Jazz Combo, at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17, in Hinton Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus.
The three-concert MTSU Jazz Artist Series, which brings renowned jazz musicians and educators each year to MTSU, will also include a Feb. 12 concert with jazz pianist Donald Brown and an April 4 concert with trumpeter Terell Stafford.
Trombonist McKee has been a member of Woody Herman's Thundering Herd since 1984 and has performed on several recordings with the band.
"McKee is currently one of the most proficient and solid jazz trombone soloists active in jazz today," said Don Aliquo, coordinator of jazz studies at MTSU. "He has a firm understanding of the tradition, but has put his own stamp on the music.
"In addition, his jazz arranging skills and compositions are among the best for large jazz ensembles and we look forward to performing his music with (our groups)," Aliquo added.
McKee holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Texas at Austin and has served on the jazz faculty at DePaul University, Northern Illinois University and Youngstown State University. His charts have been performed and recorded by big bands worldwide and he has performed and recorded with many artists in the Chicago area, including Frank Mantooth and Brad Goode. His new CD on the Hallway Records label, “Gallery,” features McKee and special guests Carl Fontana, Bobby Shew, Tim Ries and Ron Stout.
McKee will also give a master class in conjunction with his visit at 4:15 p.m. Nov 17 in the Saunders Fine Arts Building’s Room 101. This event is free and open to the public.
"(McKee's) extensive professional experience will make his master class a great experience for the students who attend," Aliquo said.
•TICKETS: Jazz Artist Series tickets, $15 per person and free for MTSU students, faculty and staff, will be available at the door. For more information on this and other events in the music school at MTSU, please call 615-898-2493 or visit www.mtsumusic.com.


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