10/13/2003

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

SRU JAZZ COMBO TO RECREATE JOHN COLTRANE'S ‘BLUE TRAIN’ ON OCT. 20

          SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Student musicians in one of Slippery Rock University’s jazz combos will recreate famed jazz artist John Coltrane’s “Blue Train” album when they perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 in Swope Music Hall.

           "The students developed this idea over the summer," says Terry Steele, combo director and associate professor of music at SRU. "They wanted to recreate the entire album as a live performance." During the concert, the students will discuss the album. 

          The “Blue Train” album, led by the legendary jazz man John Coltrane, was recorded in 1957 featuring six great jazz musicians recording five songs. The SRU students have studied the recording to recreate its details for their live performance.

          "This is a very important process in the development of jazz language" says Steele. "The great jazz musicians have always learned to play by listening to recordings, then taking the ideas into the practice room. Eventually, the ideas distill into their own style, developed through jam sessions and performances. Our students are tapping the source." 

            The combo features Jason Kush of Johnstown on tenor sax, (playing Coltrane's role); Will Weltman of New Castle on trumpet; Clayton DeWalt of Grove City on trombone; Marcus Kaiser of Bremen, Germany, on piano; Vince Gorman of Coraopolis on bass; and Pat Kennedy of Butler on drums. 

Admission is free for students and children; $3 for non-students.

PN, PgN, PR