Schulich School of Music of McGill University Concerts and Publicity 555 Sherbrooke Street West Montreal, Quebec H3A 1E3 Phone: (514) 398-4547 Fax: (514) 398-5514
P R E S S R E L E A S E
Trombonist and jazz composer SLIDE HAMPTON at McGill April 5, 2008, Pollack Hall, 8:00 p.m.
For Immediate Release
Montreal, March 31, 2008 – Legendary trombonist and jazz composer Slide Hampton joins the McGill Jazz Orchestra I under Gordon Foote’s direction to perform some of his arrangements of well known jazz standards. Presented by the Friends of McGill Jazz and the Schulich School of Music of McGill University in the Jazz Area’s Visiting Artist Series, this concert will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in Pollack Hall. Tickets ($20 and $10/seniors and students) are available at the Pollack Hall Box Office (514-398-4547). Please note that this concert by Slide Hampton cancels and replaces the McGill Jazz Orchestra I concert previously announced for the same date.
Slide Hampton's distinguished career spans decades and coincides with some of the most important developments in the evolution of modern jazz. At the age of 12 he was already touring with the Indianapolis-based Hampton Band, led by his father and comprising other members of his musical family. By 1952, at the age of 20, he was performing at Carnegie Hall Lionel Hampton. He then joined Maynard Ferguson's band, playing trombone and providing exciting charts on such popular tunes as The Fugue, Three Little Foxes and Slide's Derangement. As his reputation grew, he collaborated, as performer, composer and arranger, with many of the jazz masters of his time, most notably Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Barry Harris, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and Max Roach. In 1962, he formed the Slide Hampton Octet (including Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard and George Coleman), which toured the U.S. and Europe and recorded on several labels. From 1964-67, he served as music director for various orchestras and artists.
Following a 1968 tour with Woody Herman, Mr. Hampton elected to stay in Europe, performing with other expatriates such as Benny Bailey, Kenny Clarke, Kenny Drew, Art Farmer and Dexter Gordon. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1977, he began a series of master classes at Harvard, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, De Paul University in Chicago, and Indiana University. During this period he formed the illustrious World of Trombones: an ensemble of nine trombones and a rhythm section. In
1989, with Paquito D'Rivera, he was musical director of Dizzy's Diamond Jubilee, a year- long series of celebrations honoring Dizzy Gillespie's 75th birthday. Slide Hampton's countless collaborations with the most prominent musicians of jazz were acknowledged by the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Arrangement with a Vocalist. Most recently, he has served as musical advisor to the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. A charismatic figure, master arranger and formidable trombonist, Slide Hampton holds a place of distinction in the jazz tradition.
Program
Slide Hampton will perform Freedom Jazz Dance Eddie Harris, arranged by Slide Hampton Fried Bananas Dexter Gordon, arranged by Slide Hampton Part 2 Slide Hampton Estaté Bruno Martino, arranged by Alan Baylock 'Round Midnight Thelonious Monk, arranged by Slide Hampton Nelson Mandela Slide Hampton
As far as it is concerned, the McGill Jazz Orchestra I will select from A Day on Sawyers Lak John MacLeod My Old Flame Johnston, Coslow, arranged by Marty Paich Limehouse Blues Braham, Furber, arranged by Bill Holman Ice Breaker II Joe Sullivan Shell Game Frank Wess Shaw ‘Nuff Dizzy Gillespie, arranged by Chuck Owen Bewitched Rodgers and Hart, arranged by John MacLeod
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Source: Louise Ostiguy, 514-398-8933
Media: Alain Labonté Communications, 514-523-9922