10/13/2003

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU JAZZ ENSEMBLE TO OPEN FALL CONCERT SCHEDULE ON THURSDAY

          SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The award-winning Slippery Rock University Jazz Ensemble will kick off the university music department’s fall concert season featuring works from such jazz legends as Thad Jones, County Basie, Bob Mintzer and Pat Metheny with an 8 p.m. concert Thursday [Oct. 16] in Swope Music Hall.

          The ensemble is under the direction of Stephen Hawk, associate professor of music. Students and children are admitted free with general public seat tickets available at $3. Proceeds benefit the department’s scholarship fund.

          The Metheny piece titled "Always and Forever" will feature senior alto saxophonist Jason Kush of Johnstown. The concert will also feature a work by Bob Curnow titled "Keystone Shuffle" that was commissioned for the Pennsylvania All-State Jazz Ensemble, in 1998. The presentation will feature Clayton DeWalt of Grove City, Courtney Geary of Bellefonte, Pat Schirf of Altoona and Kush.

 PN, PgN, WPN, PR