Page 6 Retriever

,Ayers Jazz• show leads concert

by Pat Pannella because of what I've learned in my life." others go by." commented that his most recent albums; Ayers has had the chance to express his Originally a pianist. Avers learned to play Step Into Our Life and Prime Time which How can I describe this musician? d i v e r s est y I e sin for t y a I bum s - the vibraphone, ( or vibes), the instrument for were done with Wayne Henderson. as well as Whether it's jazz, pop, rythm and blues. accomplishents spanning about two which he is most noted, when he was a high No Stranger To Love and Love Fanton' are Latin or African music, Roy Ayers has decades. Don't Stop the Feeling was Ayers' school senior. He was first attracted to the projecting yet another Ayers image: a "~ore played it. The jazz artist will be performing smash single of 1979. And just like his song, vibes at a Lionel Hampton concert when he mellow" style. in concert in the fieldhouse on Saturday. the thirty-nine year old entertainer finds no was just five years old. Ayers is also a Even if people have trouble describing February seventh. reason to quit. "I feel just as young now as renowed vocalist. Roy Ayers, one thing is generally agreed Perhaps it is best to let him describe when I was nineteen, just as creative," Ayers Whether it was the mid-60's when Ayers upon; he's good. "I don't know what himself. "My music is ubiquitous, it's has said. "I'll feel I'm too old for the musci was into pure jazz or the late 70's when his everywhere," the entertainer once said. ''I'm music disco/funk tunes were popular, the veteran [instrument] he plays," remarked UMBC student and WUMD disc jockey Earl into everything. I play Rand B, jazz, pop, when I'm not able to change anymore. If I vibraphonist and singer has always held his Thompson. "He's just good. His bossa~no~a, blues, Latin -- .my music is .a ever get to that point, I'll just have to sit own. arrangements are excellent." combmatIOn of many dlfferent mUSlC down by the side of the road and let the The multi-talented performer has Roy Ayers brings jazz, R&B and blues to Fieldhouse FROM PAGE 1 With expressed student interest in "All people interested in good Roy Ayers, the groups contacted music and who would like to see a Ayer's agent and signed the good show at a bargain price, peformer for the concert. should come and get involved in They also sought jazz artist this concert," said Van Whitfield. Norman Connors to perform on "If it is a success, and it should be, the bill with Ayers, but the deal it will pave the way for other with his agent fell through. organizations to present concerts The financial terms of the at the University." performers' contracts were not -"The community' has expressed disclosed. a real mterest m gemng to see the With all of the work involved in show," said Romona Arthur. "If arranging the concert, one might you like or follow jazz, then Roy be inclined to ask, "Is it worth it?" Ayers is a name that you will To these organizers, it seems identify with immediately. If you that the effort is well worth the do not know much about modern trouble. "The purpose of the or progressive jazz, this concert concert is to demonstrate will be one of the best community spirit." said Romona opportunities tointroduce yourself Arthur. "As a matter of fact, the to it -- two of the best artists in the theme of the entire program is just business." that -- Spirit Week. The student "Everybody can say how nice it organizations are welcoming is," said Steven Gilliard, a student everybody back after the break." working for the University Center. George Preisinger, Director of "But it is just as important that Campus Activities and Universit) they spend the money to suuport Center. believes that the concert i.i these major activities or endeavors mutally beneficial for the in the UMBC community." organizers as well as the audience. "It is going to be an excellent "First of all, we wanted to have show," said George Preisinger. "It some sort of large activity that the is on our campus, it is easy to get students could identify with -- to to, and the price is right." fill a gap, meet a need ," he began. "T 0 be honest with you, if it is "Secondly, I wanted to provide a not financially successful, it could learning experience for the be another four years before we students who would be involved. can have another concert." Thirdly, to have some kind of The answer to the question of activity that people from the future concerts rests, literally, in community could attend on the 4,000 seats at the UMBC campus -- to let them know we are Fieldhouse on Saturday night. here." The "Roy Ayers" concert will be Preisinger added that this held at the UMBC Fieldhouse on semester he is trying to organize a Saturday, February 7, at 8 p.m. volunteer student program board Tickets are $5.50 for UMBC who would discuss having future students (proper olD required), acativities such as concerts, fine $6.50 for General Admission, and arts and cultural arts activities, $7.50 at the door. Tickets are lectures and debates at UMBC. available at the UMBC Box Office Organizers suggest that this McKeldin Center (Morgan Stat~ concert will have a major influence University), Modern Music Roy Ayers performs Saturday night In the Fieldhouse. on whether or not concerts can House-Mondawmin, and at the exist at UMBC in the future. Catonsville Community College.