AMERICAN BAND COLLEGE Central Washington University Stars will fill the sky at the 30th Anniversary of ABC Julian Bliss, Clarinet Soloist Marianne Gedigian, Flute Soloist Harry Watters, Trombone Soloist Canadian Brass, Guest Ensemble Bobby Shew, Trumpet Soloist 2018 ABC Cover 18ver2.indd 1 6/6/18 1:40 PM Julian Bliss, Clarinet Soloist Indiana University in 2001. He world’s top classical artists. In 2010, he than studied in Germany under formed a jazz group to perform the music Sabine Meyer. As soloist, he of Benny Goodman – the Julian Bliss has appeared with the Sao Paolo Septet. Symphony Chamber Orchestra of Paris, Orchestre National de In collaboration with Leblanc, he France, the Seattle Symphony, the developed the Leblanc Bliss clarinet. BBC Philharmonic, the Auckland Regarding that line, he said, “I know Philharmonia, the London I can pick up any Bliss clarinet and be Philharmonic and the Royal able to perform at the level to which I Philharmonic Orchestras. am accustomed.” He characterizes the clarinet’s design as “wicked.” Bliss won the 2001 Concerto Julian Bliss is recognized as one of the Soloists Young Artists Competition in In November 2017 he performed at world’s finest clarinetists, excelling as a Philadelphia. In 2002, he performed Western International Band Clinic with the concerto soloist, chamber musician, at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee four 150-member high school honor bands jazz artist, master class leader and tireless (during the Prom at the Palace) by royal and also with the WIBC-U Intercollegiate musical explorer. He has inspired a invitation. Later, he also performed at Band. This marks his first appearance at generation of young players through his the Queen’s 80th birthday. In addition, the American Band College. guest lecturer appearances and as creator he performed at Lincoln Center in New of a Conn-Selmer range of affordable York City, the Louvre in Paris and the Bliss clarinets through Leblanc. Born in Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. the UK in 1989, Julian started playing the clarinet age 4. At age 12 he earned Bliss also has a career as a chamber his Postgraduate Artist’s Diploma from musician collaborating with many of the Robert Ponto is associateRobert professor of Ponto,Ponto has also earned Soloist respect as a creative Conductor conducting and assistant dean for admis- and inspiring teacher of conducting, work- sion and recruitment at the University ing with students throughout the United of Oregon. Originally from Milwaukee, States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Wisconsin, he received degrees from His ensembles have appeared at state, the University of Michigan and the regional, and national MENC conferences, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. regional CBDNA conferences, and at the Prior to his appointment at the University Bang On A Can contemporary music festi- of Oregon in 1992, Ponto held conduct- val in New York City. ing and teaching posts at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, East Carolina Robert is an elected member of the presti- University, Pacific Lutheran University, gious American Bandmasters Association and in the public schools of Minnesota. and is a frequent guest conductor at both ABC and WIBC while also serving as Ponto’s frequent appearances as guest assessment faculty for ABC candidate con- conductor include the Detroit Chamber ducting the past 14 years. Winds, the Interlochen Arts Academy Band, and numerous state and regional honor bands throughout the United States. Bobby Shew, Trumpet Soloist He then spent three years as the jazz Lew Tabackin, Oliver Nelson, Ed trumpet soloist in the famed NORAD Shaughnessy, Benny Goodman, Maynard multi-service band. Shortly after leaving Ferguson, Neal Hefti and many others. he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and then was asked to play with Woody During this time Bobby also found a Herman’s band upon Bill Chase’s great deal of studio work, including TV recommendation. He then spent some shows like ‘Hawaii 5-O’, ‘Streets Of San time playing for Della Reese and Buddy Francisco’, ‘Bob Newhart’, ‘Mary Tyler Rich, whose big band had just been Moore’ and ‘Happy Days.’ formed. He has been on the Board of Directors Bobby played lead trumpet for a number of the International Trumpet Guild, and of pop stars which brought him to Las served as National Trumpet Chairman Vegas. He then lived there and became for the International Association of Jazz prominent in various hotels and casinos. Educator’s for 16 years. He has appeared By this time Bobby was widely known three times at ABC as a clinician and as Born In Albuquerque, New Mexico, for his strong lead playing rather than as a guest soloist at the 1984 edition or our Bobby Shew began playing the guitar a jazz soloist. So late in 1972 he decided Western International Band Clinic. at the age of eight and switched to the to make a move to the Los Angeles area trumpet at ten. By the time he was in order to get re-involved in developing thirteen he was playing at local dances as a jazz player. In the years to come he with a number of bands. He spent most of spent time with the groups of Art Pepper, his high school days playing as many as six Bud Shank, Horace Silver Quintet, nights a week in a dinner club, giving him and numerous big bands: Bill Holman, an early start to his professional career. Louie Bellson, Toshiko Akiyoshi- Jazz Trombonist HarryHarry Watters travels Watters, Watrous, Carl Fontana, Trombone Jiggs Whiggam, Harry Soloist was guest soloist with the four nationally and internationally as a Jupiter James Moody, Peter Erskine, Conrad 150-member high school honor bands at Artist. His numerous Summit Records Herwig, John Fedchock and the Boston the 2008 WIBC and is making his fourth releases include the popular Love Songs Brass. In addition, Harry has appeared as appearance at ABC. and the three critically acclaimed Brothers a featured soloist with the Syracuse Sym- discs with trumpeter Ken Watters. phony, the Baton Rouge Symphony, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Tulsa Pops, After graduation from the University the West Virginia Symphony, and the of North Texas, Harry spent four years University of North Texas One O’Clock touring and recording with the renowned Lab Band. Dukes of Dixieland. While working at night on Bourbon Street, a sleep-deprived He has presented his “Power Practicing” Watters attended the University of New seminar at the American Band College, Orleans by day, serving as the graduate the Jazz Education Network National assistant to Professor Ellis Marsalis. Conference, the Association of Concert Bands’ National Convention and many Watters has performed with Doc Sev- others Harry is married to violist and erinsen, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Erich keyboardist Holly Watters of the U.S. Kunzel, Kevin Mahogany, Wycliffe Gor- Army Strings. They reside in Alexandria, don, Lou Rawls, Maureen McGovern, Bill Virginia with their three children. PattiPiano McCoy BruceString McKern Bass TheresaDrums McCoy After deciding to become a jazz A native of Medford, Oregon, Bruce Theresa McCoy is a classically pianist following work at the has performed and recorded with trained percussionist, receiving Cincinnati Conservatory, Patti a variety of ensembles, including her Bachelor of Music degree and her “stand up drums” friend, Mad World (madworldrocks.com), at California State University, Bev Kelly, were playing Dayton, The Rogues (therogues.hearnow. Northridge. She lived ten years in Ohio, where then Tonight Show com), Easy Valley Eight, and just Los Angeles working as timpanist host Steve Allen invited them to an completed his 29th season with the and principal percussionist with after-hours jam session. This lead to Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra. several orchestras in the Los being Steve’s guest and after a move Angeles area, in the recording to Chicago, Associated Booking He has also performed with several industry on several movie brought opportunities with Count theater companies, including many soundtracks, and jazz drummer for Basie, Mel Torme, Bobby Troupe, productions with Oregon Cabaret Maiden Voyage. She has performed Oscar Peterson, Chet Baker and Bill Theatre, and eleven seasons with in a wide variety of genres with Evans. Later she played shows with Oregon Shakespeare Festival. such music greats as Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Jerry Lewis, Lenny Bruce received a B.A. in Music Bernadette Peters and Donna Bruce and many others. Conducting from Southern Oregon Summer, and been featured on University, is a bass coach with many professional recordings. After moving to Oregon in the the Youth Symphony of Southern 1970s with her husband Mike Oregon and has a private bass Theresa grew up in the Rogue she more or less retired from studio in Medford. Valley and has known Max McKee performing and raised five children. since her days at Ashland High, Bruce played in Max McKee’s SOU performing with SOU band in In 1975 she composed a piece bands in the 1980s and appeared on her senior year of high school. for the Rogue Valley Symphony the 25th anniversary concert of the Returning to the Rogue Valley Orchestra and teamed up with American Band College with guest after her years in L.A., Theresa Max McKee, then conductor of the soloists, Doc Severinsen, Bobby took a break from music while she RVSO, for its premiere. Shew and Allen Vizzutti and in and her husband Sean raised three ABC’s Dixieland Band in 2014. daughters. She now performs regularly with the Rogue Valley Symphony, the Britt Festival Orchestra, the Opus 3 Jazz Trio and several other jazz and salsa groups. ABC 2018 CONCERTS: 7:30 P.M. JUNE 25 CRATERIAN, MEDFORD 8:00 P.M. JULY 4 AHS STADIUM, ASHLAND www.bandworld.org/tickets RichardRichard Floyd has been activeFloyd, as a conductor, Conductormusic educator and administrator since 1962.