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WIU Jazz Bands Host "Italian Big Band" Musicians April 17-22; Concert April 21

April 14, 2009

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MACOMB, IL - - An international experience right in Macomb awaits students in Western Illinois University's School of Music and jazz studies, when two "Italian Big Band" musicians are in-residence Friday, April 17-Wednesday, April 22.

Jazz artists Marco Renzi, guest conductor, and Bepi D'Amato, clarinet, will also participate in a 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 WIU Jazz Bands Concert in the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall, located in Simpkins Hall, said Michael Stryker, assistant professor of jazz piano and director of Western's Jazz Band. General admission is $5 at the door. WIU students will be admitted free with a valid ID, and School of Music faculty will also be admitted free.

Renzi will conduct the joint Jazz Studio Orchestra (JSO) and Jazz Band concert, which will feature Italian music arranged for jazz orchestra, Stryker added. The JSO, under the direction of John Cooper, professor and director of jazz studies, and Jazz Band will perform some of their own music as well.

Other events the artists will participate in include a masterclass for Professor Eric Ginsberg's clarinet studio from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, April 18 in Browne Hall 215, given by D'Amato; and a combined Renzi-D'Amato lecture on "Jazz in Europe" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 in Browne Hall 215.

"We are excited to host two of Italy's greatest musicians; and we thank the Italian government for making this weeklong residency and concert possible through its full sponsorship of Marco Renzi and Bepi D'Amato," Stryker said.

The residency and concert are good examples of two of Western's core values: academic excellence and educational opportunity, Stryker added.

Renzi, founded the "Italian Big Band" in 1993, which includes many well-known Italian musicians, as well as renowned international jazz soloists. His musical studies were in cello, piano, organ and composition; and he was a concert organist in Italy and abroad. Renzi has also worked as a pianist and arranger with famous Italian artists, and he has written many compositions for organ. He also served as president of juries for many national and international competitions.

Renzi was artistic director of the first edition of "September in Minerva;" an independent review of concerts in Rome organized by the Ministry of Education aimed at the enhancement of musical productions of the most important Italian music conservatories. Since 1990 he has been artistic director of the Company's Concerts "P. Riccitelli" of Teramo. Included in his professional tenure was a faculty position at the conservatory "A. Casella" dell' Aquila (1972-1998); appointed director of "N. Piccinni" of Bari (1988); appointed director pro-tempore of "G. Braga" of Teramo; named director of the Research Center of Casa Piccinni (1998-present); and appointed the artistic director of the Orchestra Sinfonica (ICO) of Bari Province (2002).

D'Amato, born in Pescara in 1959, has been the featured soloist of the Italian Big Band since its founding in 1993. The clarinetist and saxophonist graduated from the Pescara Conservatory "L. D'Annunzio" (1977), and he was first clarinet in the Pescara Symphony Orchestra (1986-1992). He played chamber music and was self-taught in jazz until he attended the Conservatory of Music of Campobasso, where he earned a degree in jazz music (1999). In addition to collaborating with Renzi, D'Amato often teams with Larry Franco, named best Italian jazz singer in 2008, and with pianist Tony Pancella.

D'Amato has worked as a free-lance soloist with the Tony Scott Big Band (1997); with the DePaul University Big Band, conducted by Bob Lark (2005); and during the past 20 years with many American jazz musicians including Buddy DeFranco, Kenny Davern, Larry Willis, Ira Coleman and Bobby Durham. In 2004 he won the International Massimo Urbai Award and the national Italian competition "Baronissi Jazz."

For more information about the residency or the April 21 concert, contact Stryker at MS-Stryker@wiu.edu or (309) 298-1444.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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