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A Tribute to the Royals of Jazz

KEENE, N.H., 11/20/08 - The Keene State College Jazz Ensemble, conducted by KSC artist-in-residence Don Baldini, will pay tribute to three great royals of jazz in a concert on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for KSC students, senior citizens, and youth ages 17 and younger. Tickets are available through the box office at 603-358-2168 or online at www.keene.edu/racbp.

The Ensemble will be performing a mixture of big-band jazz and swing classics by Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Count Basie. Guest artist and clarinetist Bruce Krasin will be a featured soloist.

The concert will include Ellington’s _Satin Doll, Rockin in Rhythm, _and Perdido; Count Basie’s Corner Pocket, April in Paris, and Lil’ Darlin; and Don’t Be That Way and Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman, as well as other jazz tunes.

Baldini came to KSC after appearing for 13 years with The Tonight Show Orchestra and touring with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, and the Harry James and Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabakin bands. Baldini currently appears with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Opera North, and several local chamber music and jazz groups. In addition to conducting the KSC Jazz Band, he also directs the KSC Chamber Orchestra, which will perform on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Redfern Arts Center.

Bruce Krasin of Northampton, Mass., was a member of the USAF NORAD Band in Colorado Springs, Colo., and attended the Berklee College of Music. While at Berklee, he toured with Herb Pomeroy’s Band, played with Phil Wilson’s Band, appeared on NBC’s Today show, and toured with Tony Bennett. He currently plays with the Jeff Holmes Big Band and Dave Sporny’s Amherst Jazz Orchestra.

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