Date: Friday, November 15
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Venue: University Theatre

Ticket Prices:
$20 General Public
$15 Non-UTD Students
$15 UTD Alumni
$5 children under 18
$10 UTD Faculty/Staff
Free to UTD Students with valid UTD Photo ID

Cedar Walton...
Born on January 17, 1934 in Dallas, pianist Cedar Walton combines a rock-solid technique with an urbane lyrical quality. His first piano lessons were as a child with his mother, but as a young man his training included musical study at the University of Denver and stints playing with Don Ellis and Eddie Harris while the men were on military duty. He began a recording career during the late 50s and early 60s, appearing on albums with Kenny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson. He joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1961, and played along side Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. During the 1960s, he accompanied Abbey Lincoln and was the house pianist for the Prestige record label before returning to Blakey's group in 1973.

Also during the 70s, he led a trio, which often contained the late Billy Higgins, and he founded a group to begin experimenting with funk and rock elements. He has led several groups under his own name, and in addition to his frequent collaborations with Higgins, has worked with Clifford Jordan, Hank Mobley, George Coleman, Bob Berg, and Jackie McLean. He performed at "The Artistry of Billy Higgins" concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center in May 1993.

David Williams, Bass…
Williams is probably best-known for his long stint with pianist Cedar Walton, but he's also played with many other famous jazz artists, including drummer Beaver Harris, flugelhornist Chuck Mangione, and singer Vanessa Rubin. Williams studied with Ron Carter while in his 20s. He worked with Harris in New York City and Mangione in Rochester, NY around 1969, and backed pop singer Roberta Flack in the early '70s. During the 70's Williams played with alto saxophonists Ornette Coleman and Charles McPherson, pianists Billy Taylor, Kenny Barron, and Duke Jordan, drummer Elvin Jones, and tenor saxophonists Archie Shepp and George Adams, among others. He played in the bands of alto saxophonist Art Pepper and trombonist Slide Hampton in the '80s, and also worked with trumpeter Woody Shaw. He began playing with Walton around 1983; thereafter he was a member of Walton's various bands, often forming a rhythm section with Billy Higgins before the drummer's death in 2001. Williams played on Vanessa Rubin's 2001 release, Girl Talk, and on Manhattan Transfer vocalist Janis Siegel's 2002 album, I Wish You Love. Walton also played on both albums. ~ Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide.

Kenny Washington, Drums…
Kenny Washington is one of the top straight-ahead jazz drummers of the '80s, '90s, and 2000s. He took lessons from former Dizzy Gillespie drummer Rudy Collins and studied percussion in school. Washington was with the Lee Konitz Nonet in 1977 and Betty Carter in 1978-1979. He has since played with a countless number of top musicians including Johnny Griffin, Milt Jackson, Tommy Flanagan, Jay McShann, Mingus Dynasty, Benny Carter, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval, and even Benny Goodman. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

About the Special Guest:
Marchel Ivery, Tenor Saxophonist…
Marchel Ivery was born in Ennis, Texas on September 13, 1938. He played trumpet in his formative years; Dizzy Gillespie was his idol. When a junior in high school he was influenced by the great Charlie Parker and switched to saxophone. He plays alto and soprano but his preference is tenor sax

Marchel has played with some top drawer jazz musicians: Bud Powell, Oscar Pettiford, Lucky Thompson, Art Blakey, “Philly Joe” Jones, Woody Shaw, Sonny Stitt, James Moody, Hank Crawford, David “Fathead” Newman, and Onzy Matthews. During a tour of Europe in the late 50’s he played with Kansas Fields. One of the most influential musicians, as far as Marchel is concerned, was the man he played with locally and nationally for so many years, Red Garland. Marchel considers Red his musical father.
Marchel has recorded on the Seabreeze label (“Fred’s Rescue” with Fred Raulston) and on several records on the JazzMark label, most recently “Texas Tenors” with James Clay and the Paul Guerrero Trio.

Listening to Marchel, one can detect a strong Parker influence with touches of Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. He plays with a massive vigor and confidence and the fat tone that has come to be known as the Texas tenor sound. He has a daring and driving conception. He can always be found in the best musical company on gigs on the Dallas jazz scene.
(Taken from: “The Texas Jazz Scene” by Joe Welnack)