College of Fine Arts and Design

March 21, 2012

Continuing the celebration of ten years of live jazz at the University of Central Oklahoma, two of the genre's rising stars, Sharel Cassity and Michael Dease, will perform at 7 p.m. March 26, at the UCO Jazz Lab.           

The show is a part of the Jazz Lab's 10th Anniversary Concert Series, which includes special performances at the venue, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond.           

A Central jazz studies alumni and professional saxophonist, Cassity's big band experience includes the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Jimmy Heath's Big Band and the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Sextet and All Star Big Band.  She has also played with small jazz groups featuring Harry Whitaker, Ingrid Jensen and Mark Whitfield.           

A Julliard-trained trombonist, Dease performs, composes, arranges and produces music professionally. He has played with renowned big bands, as well as with Natalie Cole, Jamie Cullum, Wycliffe Gordon, the Jason Hainsworth Jazz Orchestra, Paul Simon and James Moody.           

Dease is an instructor at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. He has also served as a lecturer at Northeastern University in Boston.

Tickets to the concert are $12.           

Following the concert, Cassity and Dease will lead a jam session with Central students, with members of the public invited to watch.           

The Jazz Lab's 10th Anniversary Concert Series has featured Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kenny Garrett and Donny McCaslin, renowned Brooklyn-based saxophonist and composer, among others.

To purchase tickets, call the Jazz Lab at (405) 359-7989.           

For a complete listing of UCO Jazz Lab performances and events, visit www.ucojazzlab.com.