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Our One Hundred Forty-fifth Program 2000-2001

Bill Mays at tho Steinwav

Sponsoredby the Department of Music and the New Hampshire Library of Traditional Jazz 8 p.m. Monday, Fetlruary 12,2001,Johnson Theatre Paul CreativeArts Center.Durham. NH TIIE ARTIST

Bill Mavs

Thosein attendancewith longmemories (and/or lives)just may recall that the very first concertin thisseries wasa solopianist, one Dave McKenna. Although we havenot beenable to duplicatethat category every year since,it hasin factbeen a highprioriry, and looms larger now thatour change ofvdnue gives uslfccess to this magnificentg-foot Steinway, not a commonhousehold item in thefarnily ofjazz.

We haveobserved previously that playing in ajazzstyle alone on thepiano is a pr.oblematicundertaking, detailedadmirabfy by GuntherSchuller in hisltook Early Jazz (pp. l?0-l for thosescholars drawn to original sources!)Trying tojuggle melody, harmony, and rhyhm in a swingingiyimprovisatory manner has always posedthe double threat ofrigidity or of leavingsomething Art Tatum!).When pianists found the stridestyle to betbo confiningfor theirexpressive needs (or simplytoo diflicult!)they tended to acquirea bassplayer and a drummer;even a virtuosicOscar Peterson wouldoften make this choice, on purelyaesthetic grounds. Nevertheless, there isan intrepidand"recondite companyofartists, relatively restricted in numberbut spaciousin vision,who havefigured it alt out. They havelislened intensively to thetradition, explored all ofthe existingpossibilities andeven enlarged upon them-'-rreatinga comprehensiveworld ofsonic imagination whibh is uniquebecause of its autonomoui singularity;one's complete artistic persona is nakedlyrevealed when one is aloneon thestage, comnitted to sustaininganentireprogram,withnoplacetohide(despitethesizeoftheg-foorSteinway!)..

Bill Mays(b. Sacramento,CA, 1944)is perhapsbest known through his multifarious collaborative roles; he hasbeen accompanist for sarahvaughan, Fmnk sinatra, and Al Janeauamong others, has performed with an impressiveanay ofoutstanding artists such as Cerry Mulligan, Shelly Manne, Benny Golson, Mel Lewis(and ClarkTerry!), has arranged for WoodyHerman, Lew Tabackin,and Bobby Shew, composed a numberof chamberworks, and is heardon numeroussoundtracks, inciuding Jaws, Kojak, Terms of Endearment,and Sleeplessin Seaule.Yet beyondthese examples ofcooperative effon he hassomehow had the tirne and dedicationto develophis solo playing to a levelftuly remarkablein its scope,freshness, and brilliance. This accomplishmentis captured beautifillly in Bill's connibutionto theprestigious series ofCDs presentinglive solopiano concerts from the Maybeck Reciral Hall in Berkeley,CA (ConcordCCD 4567). Ihe variety, creativity,and spontaneity-not to mentionthe technique!-are spectacular --and remember, it,s !!yg!

Bill's tastesare eclectic in themost positive sense ofthat term,and exquisite as well; heshames some of usnot only becausehe plays so much better, but becausehe knowsthe verses to thetunes, customarily neglected by pianists-{andoften singers as well). And ata timewhen we havebeen so copiously encouaged to confront thehistory ofour art, it istouching to leamthat Bill's first pianistic inspiration was Earl Hines.

Bill washere six yearsago in a quintetled by vibistPeter Appleyard: time does in factfly. It is an honorto welcomehim back,especially to fendfor himself(with theg-foot Steinway!). * 2't'tNAL

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Bill Mays plano

Tape record'ersand camerasare not permitted due to contractual arrangenrents. Pleaseturn off beepersand watch alarms Yaur cooperationis requested.. THE SERIES l-hc tJNH Traditional JazzSeries bcgan in 1979. lt promolcsthe enjovmentand understandingofthe a( throughconcens featuring musiciansof rcgional. national,and jntemationalprominence. The program representsa unique€ndeavor to erpand interestand honor outstandingtale t irndachievement.

Musicians wishing to do so are encouragedto offer their reco|dings for salc or mail order during intcrmission:a brief announcementmay be made. The sponsorshale no financial interestin such sales beyondoflering a couftesyservice to the anistsand the public.

Progrim Noles - P.rul Yerretle Production - David Seiler 2OOO-2001SCHEDULE

SeptemberI l: Chicago'sBesti Bobbl'Lcrvis

October2: TheFrank Wess Quartet

October30: Bob WilberPrcsents lrlelcher Hendenon

January22: f)on Doane'sSuper Senior Scxtet

February12: Bill Ma),sat the Steinway

April 9r RaySmith's Paranrount Jaz Band

OTHER SPECIAL JAZZ PERFORMANCESAND EVENTS

October 28: Family lleekend Conce , UNH JAZZ BAND. Dave Seiler, directing: ANH ,IAZZ CHOIR, Williakr Ke pster. directing: \4itlr speciul guest artist. Bob Wilber, clarihet. Johnson Theao'?, Paul('reative Afts (.enter, LiNH.

Decembcr l4: Clafi Terry's 80lh Biflhdal' C"1"Oror,orr,rrith spaciol guests,inclnding Bob BrookmelJer, trontbone:and Roger Kellawly, piano: \'ith a llig Band of LNH Alumtt conductedbv Dave .Seiler. and the Clar* Terry Qu intet: Don Friedm r, piano, Sllvia Cuenca, dt1o1s: Marcus Mclnurine, Uoss: and Dtve Glasser. sax Joluson l-lpatre. Pttll Cftatiye .4rb Cenler. UNH. , January 16: Htr4' Jones Memorial Concert, Seacoast Rig llund. Dat'e Seiler, di'ecting; ttith s[)(idl gues! conryoserlpienislBob Florence. Johnson'fheatrc,Pa Creati|e Afls Cenler, U^H.

Jan28-Febf: Guest&esialcnc! Contposer,scholar,otldcondu.toroJtheSmilhsonianJa.zOrchestrd:David Baker. DistinguishedProfessor ofl,lusie, Indiana lini|ersiry'. Contoct the UNH Departmentof ,usi< al (603) 862-2401/br contpleteresidenttt sthelule. , March I l: Gala JLZZ (:oncert, Dr. Clftrk Terry-, Irumpet ond flugelhorn. rtith special guesl woodwind arlist, Paqailo D'Riveru, ond the UNH IAZZ BAND. Dave Seiler direclitlg. Johnsonl lpat'e, Patl (-reatirc .4rls Center. IlN17.

t'o, titknt, catt fffiStSAZ-Z Zqft Bill Mays' eclecticcareer as a pianist, composerand arranger spansthe last 35 years. With deeproots in jazz, gospel,pop andclassical music, Bill's adistrydefies categorization. He hasperformed on over 100recordings, including a dozenofhis own. His concertand studio creditsinclude work with artists asdiverse as Ron Carter,Benny Golson, Freddie Hubbard, Al Jarreau,Bany Manilow, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Aft Pepper,Bud Shank,Frank Srnatra,Marvin Stamm,Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Toots Thielemans,Y anguardJazz Orchestra, SarahVaughan, Paul Winter, Phil Woods and Frank Zappa. Bill's keyboardwork hasbeen heard on numerousTV and hlm soundtracks,among them Being John Malkovich, Dallas, Fargo, Interview With The Vumpire, Kojak, Late Night wirh Jay 1sr., Lethal Weapon,Mission To Mars, Name That Tune, Rocky,Shaft 2 andSuperman. He haswritten several saxophonequartets, suites for flute and piano, bassand piano, a lazz woodwind version of the NutcrackerSuite, music for the CamegieHaIl lazz Band,,Woody Herman Band, Robert DeNiro's Tribeca,and incidentalmusic for the new film, Hamlet. Blll has receivedgrants from the N.E.A. and Mid- Atlantic Arts Foundationand is a SteinwayPiano Concert Artist. His latest CDs rnclude An Ellington Affair, Malts itt Manhattan, and Out In Pa. A native Californian. Bill now residesin New York City and NortheastemPennsylvania. Tonight's Program

SomeoneTo WatchOver Me George& IraGershwin

TheBad & TheBeautiful/Laura DavidRaksin

Gemma'sEyes Bill Mays

ForMe There'sNo MoreLove, RobertAldridge ForYou There's No MorePumpkin Pie

Medley:Bird Of Paradise . Mike Wofford A NightingaleSang in BerkeleySquare Sherwin/Maschwitz

BodyAnd Soul (based on a Chopinelude) JohnnyGreen

Medley:Crepescule With Nellie TheloniousMonk Off Minor

Intermission

ComeRain Or ComeShine Harold Arlen/JohnMercer

Tributeto Bill Evans: Very Early Bill Evans odbyeMr. Evans Phil Woods

WillowWeep For Me Ann Ronnell

Lennie'sPennies LennieTristano

Balladmedley: CloseAs PagesIn A Book S. Romberg/D.Fields CrazyShe Calls Me S.K.Russell/Carl Sigman I Do It For Your Love Paul Simori

CubanoChant Ray Bryant

On A Keyboard Keirh "Red" Mitchell