April 12, 2004

Contact: Gordon Ovenshine 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

A KALEIDOSCOPE EVENT --

THREE RIVERS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, FEATURING 18 OF THE PITTSBURGH REGION’S BEST JAZZ MUSICIANS, TO PERFORM APRIL 24 AT SRU

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra, formed to enhance jazz offerings in the Pittsburgh area and featuring 18 regional musicians, will perform originals and jazz standards at 7 p.m. April 24 at Slippery Rock University’s University Union.

Tickets are $5; $3 for students. The concert is the finale for Kaleidoscope, SRU’s nine-day arts festival.

SRU’s Dr. Stephen Hawk, associate professor of music, and Mike Tomaro, director of jazz studies at Duquesne University, formed the jazz orchestra as a vehicle for increasing performances and providing opportunities for Pittsburgh composers/arrangers to have new music performed by world-class jazz musicians.

The group also includes SRU’s Terry Steele, associate professor of music, on saxophone and David Glover, assistant professor of music, on drums.

“We selected some of the best, big-band jazz musicians in Pittsburgh for the band,” said Hawk, who plays lead trumpet.

The group will play originals penned by Tomaro and jazz standards such as “Little Sunflower” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.”Its first CD titled "The Night Owl Suite" was just released on Sea Breeze Records.

SRU’s College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts launched Kaleidoscope four years ago to promote the arts, showcase the talent of students and faculty and build relationships within the region. The festival runs April 16-24 and includes concerts, a film festival, a lecture/performances, a sitar concert, plays, a flute concert, dance recitals and an outdoor sculpture exhibit featuring student artwork. Go to www.sru.edu/pages/916.asp for the complete schedule and ticket information.

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