Jazz Night, Kunstuniversität Graz
About this event
In addition to works by jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, this KUG Jazz Night will also feature Chris Smith's own compositions. Together with KUG colleagues such as Dena DeRose, Jim Rotondi, or Luis Bonilla and KUG jazz students, Chris Smith on the drums will bring the MUMUTH to the boil in the style of a New York jazz club.
Chris Smith is a drummer, writer, and educator from New York City. He has worked with various renowned jazz musicians, including Randy Brecker, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Dick Oatts, and vocalist Patti Austin. As the drummer of the Birdland Big Band, he performed regularly at the world-famous New York club. He also played frequently at venues such as Smalls, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, and the Jazz Standard. Chris Smith is an active recording artist, with the album "Use Your Imagination" (SteepleChase) by saxophonist Dick Oatts being a recent and excellent example of his drumming. However, Chris Smith also loves to explore the history of jazz and is a published author. His book, The View from the Back of the Band: The Life and Music of Mel Lewis, is the only biography of drummer Mel Lewis. His many experiences as a college teacher include an appointment as a jazz instructor at the University of Northern Colorado. He currently offers jazz instruction through Jazz Drum Hang, and beginning in the summer semester of 2022, he will be a percussion professor at the Jazz Institute at the University of Art in Graz, Austria. Chris Smith holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Music in Jazz Arts from Manhattan School of Music, and a Doctorate in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.
Artists
Morten Ramsbøl, Bass
Olaf Polziehn, Piano
Jim Rotondi, Trumpet
Julian Arguelles, Saxophone
Luis Bonilla, Trombone
Dena DeRose, Piano and Voice
Chris Smith, Drums
Reinhard Summerer, conductor
Programme
Performance – approx. 42 min
Repertoire
Chris Smith: Gut Bucke
Chris Smith: Charlie Barker
Chris Smith: Arrival
Peter Nero, Carroll Coates: Sunday in New York
Ben Haugland: Second Sight
Bob Florence: Carmelo's by the Freeway
Ari Hoenig: Birdless (Arrangement: Ben Markley)
Duke Ellington: I'm Beginning to see the light (Arrangement: Mark Taylor)
Neal Hefti: Cute
Cedar Walton: I'm not sure (Arrangement: Ben Markley)
Thad Jones: Don't Git Sassy
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