College of Fine Arts and Design

October 6, 2011

Renowned Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Donny McCaslin will join the UCO Jazz Ensemble I in concert at 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, kicking off the UCO Jazz Lab's 10th Anniversary Concert Series.

The concert will feature all of McCaslin's original compositions and will premiere several new jazz ensemble arrangements created for the event.           

McCaslin, a Grammy Award-nominee for "Best Jazz Instrumental Solo," is best known for his emotionally-charged saxophone solos and work with jazz groups and musicians such as the "Dave Douglas Quintet," "Maria Schneider Orchestra," "The Mingus Band," and Pat Metheny.

A former student of the Berklee College of Music, McCaslin is equally talented in his ballad and hard funk performances.  Jazz Times magazine credits McCaslin as a "tenor saxophone-blowing force of nature, unleashing new, mind-numbing ideas at the speed of light."

In addition to McCaslin, the UCO Jazz Lab 10th Anniversary Concert Series will feature several other renowned artists.  Featured artists include Los Angeles drummer David Anderson with UCO saxophonist Brian Gorrell, The Stan Kenton Centennial Anniversary Tribute Concert featuring conductor Joel Kaye with the Edmond Jazz Orchestra, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kenny Garret, and jazz trumpeter Marvin Stamm with the UCO Jazz Ensembles, among others.

Since the opening in 2002, the UCO Jazz Lab has become a hub of innovation in jazz education and entertainment. In it's 10-year history, the Lab has hosted renowned musicians like Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Ann Hampton Callaway, Diane Schuur, Steve Tyrell, Jane Monheit, Jerry Jeff Walker and Maynard Ferguson, as well as the award-winning UCO Jazz Ensembles.

The Jazz Lab is unique in its three-fold purpose - it serves as both an educational facility for Central students and a live music venue where audience members can enjoy Hideaway Pizza and a full-service bar, and features a state-of-the-art recording.

Tickets to the McCaslin concert are $20 and can be purchased by calling the Jazz Lab at (405) 359-7989.  All proceeds from the concert will benefit the UCO Jazz Studies Program.

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