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UNIVERSITYOF NEWHAIIPSHIRE
OURFOURTEENTH PROGRAM THE INCOMPARABLE DAVE McKENNA ALONEAT THE PIANO
SPONSOREDBY MUSO. THEOEPARTMENT OF MUSIC. ANDTHE NEW HAMPSHIRE LIBRARYOF TRADITIONAL JAZZ
8 PM MONDAY MARCH8, r?t? STRAFFOROROOM MEMORIALUNION DURHAM,NEW HAMPSHIRE THEARTIST
DAVEItcKE A
Whenthis series began in the tall of 1979it wasnot difticultto selectDave McKenna as the openingertist. For one thing he wasa NewEngland musician richly deserving publicvisibility and acclaimcomparable to hisprestigious status among his peers; moreimportantly we knewhim to be a simplyconsummate performer, as the results of thatconcert amply demonstrated.
Davewas born in Woonsocket,Rhode lsland on May30, 1930. He receivedearly piano instructionfrom localnuns and laterstudied in Bostonwith Sandy SandiJord. Althoughalways one to exploreiazz possibilities by ear,he alsohad classical training with the notedcomposer/conductor C. AlexanderPeloquin, but insistshe stillcannot playscales correctly. (He doesn't need to!) Alter working in the50's with Charlie Ventura,Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and Jazz at the Philharmonic,he joinedthe houseband at EddieCondon's in NewYork, and latein the60's spent much timewith PeanutsHucko at hisclub in Denver.Since'1971 Caoe Cod has been his baseof operations,and he hasshared many programs with Zoot Sims, Flip Phillips, the lateBobby Hackett, and our recentguest Red Norvo. Currently he is in residence at the PlazaBar al Boston'sCopley Plaza, and hasiust taped a performancethere withTony Bennettto be telecaston PBS
Daveis oneof lhoserare pianists who truly playswilh bothhands and somehow conveysthe threeseparate dimansions of melody,harmony and rhythm;Dick Wellstoodtrom lastyear's series in another.Whitney Balliett of "TheNew Yorker" callshim "Super Chops", and BobbyHackett, a goodjudge ot musicalcharacter, reterredto himas "the greatest piano player living." lt's difficult not to agreewith thoseassessments, and it is a pleasureto welcomeDave McKenna back to UNH,and acknowledgethe greaterrenown he hasachieved since his first visit. L c7k, E THE INCOMPARABLE DAVE McKENNA ALONEAT THE PIANO
THE PROGRAM
Dave'susual approach is to remainat the pianoand lel oneselection blend into the nextunannounced. We are certain most will be knownto you,and that in othercases Davewill satisfyyour curiosityat intermissionor afterthe concert. THESERIES
The UNHTraditional Jazz Series, now in its thirdyear, promotes the enioymentand understandingof the art throughconcerts including musicians ot regional,national, and internationalprominence. The programis basedon thefundamental convictions thatthere are no agebarriers in the performanceand appreciationof this idiom,and that itsioyousness and creativityare ever-renewable. Our combinedsponsorship unitesstudents, laculty, and continuallydevoted enthusiasts in a uniqueendeavor to expandinterest, and honoroutstanding talent and achievement.
Aprll 12 New Black EagleJazz Band
Manyof the artistspresented in our seriesare available only on privaterecordings not readilyfound in stores.For the benefitol the public,musicians wishing to do so are encouragedto offertheir recordings for saleor mailorder, at the backof the hall duringintermission. A briefannouncement may be made.The sponsors have no financialinterest in suchsales beyond oflering a courtesyservice to the artistand public.
Camerasand tape recorders ar€ not permitted.Your cooperationjs requested. Films or recordingsby the sponsorsare for tho benefitof students,who mayinquire about theiravailability at the DimondLibrary.
ProgramNotes - PaulVerrette
Production- DavidS6iler