FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 Monday, June 9, 2008
 Contact: Susan Tams, Director of Editorial Services (304) 746-2038
 

Marshall’s 9th annual jazz festival
to feature saxophonist Craig Treinen

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jazz-MU-Tazz, Marshall University’s summer jazz festival, will present guest artist Craig Treinen, the faculty combo Bluetrane, and the Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Band in concert at the Jomie Jazz Center and at Pullman Square beginning Wednesday, June 18. All events are free and open to the public.

Treinen is the director of jazz studies/applied saxophone at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. He performed in Kansas City as the lead alto saxophonist for the Kansas City Boulevard Big Band, with which he recorded three albums. He was a member of the United States Air Force as a saxophone specialist in the Heartland of America Band in Omaha, Neb. He was the principal alto saxophonist in the symphonic band and served as the musical director, staff arranger and lead alto saxophonist with the Heartland of America “Noteables” Jazz Ensemble. For his work with the “Noteables,” Treinen received the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Airman of the Year, the Outstanding Airman Bandsman of the United States Air Force and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

Treinen has performed with legendary performers such as Lee Greenwood, Shirley Jones, Crystal Gayle, Bob Denver, Frank Mantooth, Karin Allison, Kevin Mahogany, Todd Strait, George Duke, Bobby Watson, Eric Marienthal, and many others worldwide. He continues to be an active performer and clinician throughout the Midwest, working with high school and college jazz ensembles.

Bluetrane, Marshall’s faculty jazz combo, will perform with Treinen Friday, June 20. The group was created to provide a professional model for the students at Marshall and to establish a musical ensemble devoted to the performance of what has been termed “America’s National Treasure,” jazz. Bluetrane’s personnel include Dr. Ed Bingham, saxophone, professor of music and director of jazz studies; Martin Saunders, professor of trumpet; Dr. Mike Stroeher, professor of trombone and music education; Dr. Sean Parsons, assistant professor of jazz piano; Dr. Mark Zanter, guitar, associate professor of music and head of theory and composition; and Steve Hall, associate professor of percussion.  Joining them will be Jimmy Lykens, bass, who is a music performance major at Marshall.

In the Jazz-MU-Tazz Festival Big Band, college and high school students develop their skills in improvisation and learn about the history and theory of jazz, Bingham said. The collegiate members of the festival are primarily current students at Marshall, while the high school participants represent many schools throughout the area including Spring Valley, Cabell Midland, Bridgeport, Winfield, Sherman and Calhoun High Schools.

Here is a complete schedule of events for the 2008 festival:

  • Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 p.m., Jomie Jazz Center: Bluetrane, MU Jazz Faculty.
  • Thursday, June 19, 7:30 p.m., Jomie Jazz Center: Student Combo Jam Session.
  • Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m., Jomie Jazz Center: saxophonist Craig Treinen with Bluetrane.
  • Saturday, June 21, 5 p.m., Pullman Square: Jazz–MU-Tazz Festival Big Band with Craig Treinen.

Jazz-MU-Tazz was founded in 2000 to celebrate the opening of the Jomie Jazz Center at Marshall and to foster jazz in Huntington, according to Bingham. “Professional musicians, Marshall University faculty, collegiate and high school musicians combine their talents to preserve America’s true musical art form,” he said.

For further information on the 9th annual Jazz-MU-Tazz, persons may contact Bingham at (304) 696-3147 or by e-mail at bingham@marshall.edu.

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