Jazz Great Duffy Jackson to be Featured in UNCW Music Festival
3/10/2006 2:07:02 PM
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Wilmington, NC - Jazz great Duffy Jackson will be the featured musician at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Guest Artist Jazz Festival (March 31 - April 1). Presented by the Department of Music Jazz Programs, this noncompetitive festival is an annual event which offers workshops to NC high school ensembles, evening performances by local jazz bands, and master classes and evening concerts by this year's guest artist, drummer Duffy Jackson. Currently in its 23rd year, the UNCW Jazz Festival combines education and performance in an informative and entertaining weekend of events.
Jackson is considered one of the greatest drummers of contemporary jazz, and has been performing since the age of four, when his father, legendary bassist Chubby Jackson, gave him his first set of drums. Known for his enthusiasm behind a drum kit and a swinging style that has driven such bands as Count Basie, Artie Shaw, and Lionel Hampton, Jackson has shared the stage with practically every great jazz musician in contemporary history. At age 14, he played with Duke Ellington, at 18 Lena Horne, and at 20 Sammy Davis Jr. He has also performed with jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine, and Stan Getz.
In recent years Jackson completed Duffy Jackson's French Connection, a live recording featuring France's best jazz musicians, and has continued to tour both as a musician and as a teacher. Revered not only for high-energy showmanship, but also for his solid musicianship, Jackson has worked throughout the world with students of all ages. "Duffy epitomizes the spirit of our Jazz Festival," said Frank Bongiorno, chair of the Department of Music and coordinator for the event, "he not only offers students access to a significant artist in the music industry, but he offers the entire community the opportunity to witness the teaching and performance style of a great jazz technician and entertainer."
The UNCW Guest Artist Jazz Festival begins on Friday, March 31 with clinics for high school students from 12-5 p.m. and an 8 p.m. concert featuring Duffy Jackson and the UNCW Big Band. The festival continues on Saturday, April 1 with more clinics from 12-5 p.m. and an 8 p.m. concert featuring the Duffy Jackson Combo.
Registration is required to participate in the daytime clinics, but the public is invited to listen in at no charge. Concert tickets are $5 for general admission (free to UNCW students with a valid ID) and will be sold one hour prior to the evening concerts. All clinics and concerts are held in the Warwick Center Ballroom on the campus of UNCW.
Media inquiries may be directed to Courtney Reilly, UNCW events coordinator (910) 962-7416 or at reillyce@uncw.edu.
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