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KSC Jazz Ensemble Celebrates the Blues

KEENE, N.H. 11/17/01 - The Keene State College Jazz Ensemble will play the blues in their annual winter concert on Wednesday, Dec. 5. “A Celebration of the Blues” program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Theatre of the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. Tickets are $7 for general public and $5 for KSC faculty, staff, students, senior citizens, and youth 17 and under. Call the box office at 603-358-2168.

Keene State artist-in-residence Don Baldini will direct, as professional musicians jive with the student ensemble. Drummer Greg Caputo will be the guest soloist during the concert, which highlights the blues style of jazz. Blues, which refers to a mood as well as a harmonic progression, is considered a truly American form of folk music evolved from southern black American secular songs of the early 20th century.

Walt Sayre, music director at the Walpole School, will return as a featured trombonist. He also is the organist/choir director of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Walpole. Sayre has performed with Urbie Green, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Woody Herman, Sy Oliver, The Raylynmor Opera, and the Royal Academy of Dance.

In addition to conducting the Jazz Ensemble, Baldini also directs the KSC Chamber Orchestra. He came to Keene State after a professional career as a studio musician in Los Angeles. Baldini appeared for 13 years with The Tonight Show Orchestra and toured with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, and the Harry James and Toshiko-Akyoshi/Lew Tabakkin bands. He currently performs with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Dartmouth Symphony, Opera North, the Keene Chamber Orchestra, and several local chamber music and jazz groups.

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229 Main Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03435