April 3, 2007 The 9th Annual Big Band Benefit Concert at Vanier College Celebrates guitar legend Tony Romandini This year’s 9th Annual Big Band Benefit Concert at Vanier College on April 16, 2007, will celebrate the Dean of Montreal music, guitar legend, Tony Romandini. Jazz pianist Oliver Jones will host the gala evening whose proceeds go to create music scholarships for students in the Vanier College Music Program. Tony Romandini has been a fixture of the Montreal music scene for over fifty years. As a studio musician moving easily between guitar, banjo and mandolin, a composer, and a sideman to Oscar Peterson, Romandini has done it all including concert tours of classical music in France and Germany and playing with the MSO and the Quebec Symphony. The concert will be a delectable feast for Big Band music fans. The first half of the evening features performances by Vanier music teachers and music by the Vanier Stage Band under the direction of Jocelyn Couture, Vanier teacher and well-known trumpeter who has performed with Céline Dion, Ginette Reno and Vic Vogel to name but a few. The second half of the evening will soar when jazz singer Karen Young takes to the stage accompanied by the J.L. Big Band conducted by Christopher Smith international award-winning trombonist and composer. And along the way there will be surprises and delights to make the evening a memorable one. Oliver Jones who trained exclusively in classical piano began making a name for himself as a jazz performer in the eighties. Since then he has worked a busy concert schedule, toured around the world, and recorded several albums. His latest album One More Time was released in 2006. Karen Young gained notice as one of Canada’s premier jazz singers when she collaborated with Michel Donato in the eighties. A versatile singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist, Karen Young has recorded several albums, won a Félix Award, performed in several ensembles and taught music at the University of Montreal. “Come and see the award-winning Vanier Stage Band with singer Sarah Makonnen and listen to some of Montreal’s finest musicians performing in the J.L. Big Band,” says Nadia Turbide, Coordinator of the Music Program at Vanier College. “It promises to be an evening full of energy and great music!” Concert begins at 7:30 PM in the Vanier College Auditorium. Tickets ($15) are available by phoning 514 744-7500. -30- For information please contact: Marguerite Corriveau, Vanier Communications Officer Telephone: (514) 744-7500, ext. 7596 Email: [email protected] .