| James Gilyard Ensemble
Date:
Friday, February 21
Time:
8:00 p.m.
Venue:
Jonsson Performance Hall
Ticket Prices
$10 reserved seating
$5 Students
The James Gilyard Ensemble will perform jazz favorites
and original material on Friday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m.
in the Jonsson Performance Hall.
Joining bassist Gilyard, artistic director of the Sammons
Center for the Arts, will be UTD faculty member Kelly
Durbin on piano, Karl Lampman on saxophone and flute
and Andrew Griffith on drums along with two special
guests, pianist Arlington Jones and vocalist Simone
Rogers. This great group of jazz musicians will perform
such selections as Speak Low, Blue & Green, Naima,
Solar, Lover Man and This Can't Be Love.
About
the Artists:
James Gilyard (acoustic
bass)
The name James Gilyard means
many things - jazz bassist, jazz composer, jazz producer
and jazz lecturer. Voted "Sammons Jazz Artist
of the Year in 1998" and a nominee for The Dallas
Observer Jazz Musician of the Year Award in1996,
Gilyard has
four recordings under his belt. He has performed with
Kenny Burrell, James Clay, Red Garland, Barney Kessell,
Billy Hart and Roseanne Vitro to name a few.
He was born in Stillwater,
Oklahoma in 1945 and graduated from Langston University
with a B.A. in Education in 1967. He undertook post
graduate studies in Human Relations at the University
of Oklahoma. His early music career included three
years during the VietNam era in the 97th United States
Army
Field Artillery Band. He also served a a staff bassist
for Benson Sound Studios in Oklahoma City during the
early 70's. During this time he recorded numerous independent
country and gospel albums by various artists including
well-known evangelist, Jimmy Swaggart.
Gilyard, who is sought out
for his solid and sensitive accompaniment, is a favorite
rhythm section member in the bands of many Dallas area
jazz notables. Matt Weitz of the Dallas Morning News
has said of Gilyard: " Double bassist, James Gilyard,
delivers notes that have that lifting, almost bowed
enunciation - breathy exterior cushioning and a solid
core that so exemplifies acoustic jazz bass." Gilyard
was recognized in 1998 for his compositional skills
by the Dallas Chapter of the National Association of
Negro Musicians. The Sambuca restaurant group with
jazz
clubs in Dallas and Atlanta selected Gilyard's composition,
"Sambuca By Night", as the theme music for
their internet homepage. James Stapleton, KNON Jazz
disc jockey, has said of Gilyard: "James Gilyard
keeps the casual listener in mind with his composing,
playing and recording. His music is grounded
in the jazz mainstream and is basic, to the point,
and
simple enough to be appreciated by the casual and serious
listener alike."
Kelly Durbin (piano)
Kelly Durbin is a faculty
member at The University of Texas at Dallas, where
he directs the Jazz Ensemble and teaches classes in
music
theory, MIDI, jazz history and jazz keyboard. He holds
a Master of Music degree from The University of North
Texas. Durbin is a long time member of the Marchel
Ivery
Quintet and the James Gilyard Ensemble, and has performed
at numerous jazz concerts, festivals, and workshops.
His professional credits include work with David "Fathead"
Newman, James Clay, Chuck Rainey, Billy Hart, Louis
Hayes, Ed Soph, Lynn Seaton, Hank Crawford, Sebastian
Whittaker and Roseanne Vitro. Durbin was the music
consultant and pianist for the Hollywood film Daddy's
dying, Whose got the will? and can be heard on recordings
by James Gilyard and Freddie Jones.
Karl Lampman (tenor
saxophone)
Karl Lampman holds a Master
of Music degree from The University of North Texas.
During his time at UNT, Lampman was a member of the
"One O'Clock Lab Band" and has performed with
numerous artists including Ronnie Ball, The Supremes,
Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Mathis, Billy Daniels and Buddy
Greco. Lampman also toured with the Barnum & Bailey-Ringling
Brother's Circus as well as the Ice Capades Band.
Andrew Griffith (drums)
Andrew Griffith is the youngest
member of the ensemble and is a graduate of The University
of North Texas. Andrew is also a graduate of the Dallas
Arts Magnet High School that has such a rich history
of turning out talented young players whose musical
maturity is well beyond their chronological age. Andrew's
professional credits include work with Marchel Ivery,
Joey DeFrancesco, Jack McDuff, James Gilyard and Roseanne
Vitro.
Arlington Jones (guest
pianist)
Arlington began studying and
playing the piano nearly two decades ago. In 1995, Arlington
received a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from
Texas Tech University in Lubbock. In 1997, he
completed a Master of Music in Music Performance at
Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
He trained under the direction of Dr. James Polk, former
musical director for the legendary Ray Charles.
In 1998, he studied with Bernard Wright, acclaimed composer
and keyboardist for various artists in the music industry
including Roberta Flack. Over the years, he has been
granted the privilege to play with Kirk Whalum, DeDe
Warwick, Clark Terry, Roy Hargrove, David "Fathead"
Newman, Frank Foster, and more. Since 1997, he has been
working as an adjunct professor for Cedar Valley College,
instructing theory, jazz composition/arranging courses,
and private piano lessons. He plays frequently with
his band, The Arlington Jones Trio (established in 1998).
This group has received acclaims and recognition for
their smooth and versatile playing style.
|
2002-2003 Events
