Two acclaimed jazz artists, bassist John Clayton and trombonist Ed Neumeister, are coming to the Eastman School of Music to meet with students and perform in concert with student ensembles.
Clayton, who has received six Grammy nominations, will join the Eastman Jazz Ensemble at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, on the stage of Kilbourn Hall. Neumeister will be the guest artist at the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble performance at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, in Kilbourn Hall. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
Clayton took up the double bass while in high school in California, studying with bass legend Ray Brown. After graduating from Indiana University in 1975, he went on to tour with the Monty Alexander Trio and the Count Basie Orchestra before taking the position of principal bass with the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in the Netherlands. After five years, he returned to the United States and founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Jazz Quintet. Clayton has composed or arranged for such notable artists as Diana Krall, Joe Williams, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Natalie Cole, and Quincy Jones.
Neumeister performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Mel Lewis Big Band and has been on stage and recorded with artists ranging from Jerry Garcia to Gerry Mulligan. A fixture on both the jazz and classical scenes in New York City and San Francisco, he also has performed with the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and San Francisco Ballet. Neumeister has been composing and leading his own groups since 1978 and has recorded seven albums including modern big band, trombone quartet, chamber trio, and jazz quartet and quintet as well as a concerto for cello and big band.
While in residency at Eastman, Clayton and Neumeister will coach and rehearse ensembles and interact with students.
The Eastman Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Bill Dobbins, has earned recognition as one of the premier collegiate jazz performing groups from Downbeat magazine and in performance in concert halls around the world. The Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dave Rivello, performs repertoire primarily from the last 20 years, playing music not often heard or not yet recorded, and frequently premieres new works.
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Calendar Listings:
Wednesday, Dec. 12
8 p.m.
Eastman Jazz Ensemble, with guest artist bassist John Clayton; Bill Dobbins, conductor
Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
Free
Information number: (585) 274-1110
Monday, Dec. 17
8 p.m.
Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, with guest artist trombonist Ed Neumeister; Dave Rivello, conductor
Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
Free
Information number: (585) 274-1110