College of Fine Arts and Design

Feb. 29, 2012

Students in the University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Studies program will get the opportunity to connect with two jazz greats at a concert featuring jazz trumpeter Marvin Stamm performing with the UCO Jazz Ensembles at 7 p.m., March 5 and a master class with multi-talented Benny Golson from 3-4:30 p.m., March 8, both in the UCO Jazz Lab.

The concert featuring Stamm is a part of the Jazz Lab's 10th Anniversary Concert Series, which has featured various jazz musicians including Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kenny Garrett and Donny McCaslin, renowned Brooklyn-based saxophonist and composer.     

Stamm began his career as a professional jazz trumpeter in 1961 as a member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra and has been playing trumpet professionally ever since.  He has performed regularly with notable musicians including Frank Sinatra and Benny Goodman and toured worldwide with Woody Herman from 1965-1966.

When Stamm is not on the road touring, he resides in New York and plays in the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, a big band made up of some of the finest jazz musicians in New York, all living in Westchester County.

Tickets to the concert are $12.

Golson's informal master class for Jazz Studies students is free and open to the public.

Golson, an 83-year-old jazz legend, is a composer, arranger, lyricist, producer and tenor saxophonist who has played in the bands of world famous musicians such as Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic and Art Blakey.

"Mr. Golson's hundreds of compositions are a part of every jazz musician's vocabulary worldwide.  He is also a legendary saxophonist who has performed with every great jazz artist literally since Louis Armstrong," said Brian Gorrell, Jazz Studies division head.

"Mr. Golson is an amazing jazz musician and I am thrilled that our students will have the opportunity to learn more about their craft from one of the best," he continued.

For tickets to the concert or further information about the class, call (405) 359-7989.

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