[284]PIANIST DONALD BROWN HEADLINES 2nd JAZZ ARTIST SERIES CONCERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 30, 2009
CONTACT: Tim Musselman, (615) 898-2493

PIANIST DONALD BROWN HEADLINES 2nd JAZZ ARTIST SERIES CONCERT

(MURFREESBORO)—Jazz pianist-composer Donald Brown will perform with the MTSU Jazz Ensemble I and members of the MTSU Jazz Faculty in the second of three concerts billed as the 2008-2009 MTSU Jazz Artist Series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in Hinton Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus.
The concert is co-sponsored by the Black History Month Committee and the MTSU School of Music.
"We are excited to have (Brown) join us for our second ... concert, said Don Aliquo, coordinator of jazz studies at MTSU. "His playing and writing have made him one of the most in demand pianists in jazz today."
Guest-artist Brown, born in 1954 in Mississippi and reared in Memphis, began his career as a drummer. He received a scholarship to Memphis State University as a trumpet player, but did not study piano until he attended college. He is part of what is called the Memphis Three, a trio of exceptional keyboard talents that passed through Memphis State University in the ‘70s, which also includes James Williams and Mulgrew Miller.
Currently an associate professor of music at the University of Tennessee,
Brown gained essential experience and attention as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He has gone on to win the clearest testimonials to his expertise as a soloist and accompanist working in bands of such greats as Donald Byrd, Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, Toots Thielemans, Eddie Lockjaw Davis and Johnny Griffin.
He is also noted by jazz critics for his innovative compositions including his Grammy-nominated composition, "The Insane Asylum," which was first heard on Wynton Marsalis' album titled J Mood.
MTSU Jazz Ensemble I is the top performing large ensemble in the jazz studies program. It features the most experienced student players and concentrates on cutting-edge literature and masterworks from the big-band repertoire.
MTSU jazz faculty performing with Brown at the piano and comprising a jazz quintet will be Aliquo (saxophone), Jamey Simmons (trumpet), Jim Ferguson (bass) and Tom Giampietro (drums).
For more information on this and other concerts in the MTSU School of Music please visit www.mtsumusic.com or call Tim Musselman at 615-898-2493.
• TICKETS: Admission to the concert is $15 at the door and is free for MTSU students and staff.

—30—


• Attention, Media: A jpeg of Brown is available online at http://www.mtsu.edu/~music/images/Brown_Donald-large.jpg