The campus and community are invited to attend a jazz tribute to retiring Director of Jazz Studies and baritone saxophone player Bruce Johnstone on Sunday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall.
The Fredonia Jazz Ensemble, directed by Zach Bushe, and the Fredonia Big Band, directed by Mike Massaro, will present the free concert. Mr. Johnstone will perform with both groups and will be featured on the tune, “Hang Loose,” which was written for him by Maynard Ferguson. In addition to the two big bands, vocalists from Johnstone’s Curricular Jazz Ensemble will be performing including Fredonia student and singer Nia Drummond.
Originally from New Zealand, Johnstone has had a long career as a performer around the world. He played with Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon in Denmark, and with Stan Kenton in London, recording with Kenton on the album Live at the London Hilton. In 1972 he joined the Maynard Ferguson band and it was in this band that he was first heard by American audiences. Recordings with Ferguson include “M. F. Horn” in ’73, “Chameleon” in ’74 and “M.F. Horn 4 & 5.” In New York City, he recorded with saxophonist Anthony Braxton on his album of “Creative Orchestra Music,” and in 1977 he joined the Woody Herman band and recorded two albums with the group.
Since moving to Western New York, Johnstone has performed with the Dan Stevens Big Band, the Buffalo Brass, the Erie Philharmonic Pops, the Bemus Bay Pops, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Don Menza octet. He will continue to perform and present master classes and be a guest artist in-residence with colleges and public schools.
Arrangements for the free concert were made by Dr. Linda Phillips of the Fredonia School of Music, Mr. Busche and Mr. Massaro.
