University News
Al Sears Jazz Festival Will Have Special Performances
September 21, 2011
MACOMB--The 10th annual Al Sears Jazz Festival will have two extra special performances in its lineup on Saturday, Sept. 24.
The Western Illinois University Jazz Studio Orchestra will perform an original piece, and the Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA) will present the Kurt Elling Quintet as the headlining act.
At 4 p.m. in Chandler Park, the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra will perform "The Preacher's Son," a piece Western's Director for Jazz Studies John Cooper compose on commissioned for the milestone event. The composition honors the life of Macomb native Al Sears, who was born into the family of a Macomb preacher in 1910.
After the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra performance, the Kurt Elling Quintet will perform at Western's College of Fine Arts and Communications (COFAC) Recital Hall. According to the New York Times, "Elling is the standout male vocalist of our time."
His performance will include original pieces and modern interpretations as well as scatting, spoken word and poetry. Members of the Kurt Elling Quintet include Elling, vocals; Laurence Hobgood, piano; Clark Sommers, bass; Ulysses Owens Jr, drums; and John McLean, guitar.
Tickets for the Elling Quintet ($15 for the public; $10 for senior citizens and free for WIU students with a valid ID) are available at the Hainline box office, phone (309) 298-2900 from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, or at wiu.edu/BCA; click on "Get Tickets."
Al Sears Jazz Festival
The 10th annual Al Sears Jazz Festival will take place at Chandler Park, north of Macomb's Downtown Square, with performances starting at 10 a.m.
This year's line up includes:
• 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – John Miller & the Romaniacs
• 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Heritage Ensemble of Peoria
• Noon and 3 p.m. – Coronet Chop Suey
• 4 p.m. WIU's Jazz Studio Orchestra with guest Gunnar Mossblad
All events listed above are free to the public.
Biographies of the artists and more information on the Al Sears Jazz Festival can be found at www.searsjazzfestival.com.
Major sponsors of the Al Sears Jazz Festival include WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication, WIU Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Tri-States Public Radio, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce & Downtown Development Corporation, City of Macomb and individual and corporate sponsors.
Posted By: Sarah Tomkinson (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: