Bradley Jazz Ensembles to present "A Tribute to Count Basie"

Peoria, Illinois . . . November 11, 2003 . . . The Bradley Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band, under the direction of Dr. Todd Kelly, will present a tribute to Count Basie on Friday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dingeldine Music Center, located at 1417 W. Barker Avenue.

The 17Ðmember Jazz Ensemble will perform many of BasieÕs greatest hits, including "One O Clock Jump," "April in Paris," "Shiny Stockings," "Splanky," "In a Mellow Tone," and many others.

The Jazz Lab Band will open the evening with "In the Mood," "I Wish," "Katy," and "Chick on the Grill."

Tickets are $5 and admission is free for students. Tickets are available at the Cultural Events Box Office in the Hartmann Center on the Bradley campus Monday through Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Tickets may also be reserved by calling 677-2650.

The Bradley Jazz Ensemble is the flagship ensemble of BradleyÕs jazz program.

In a genre dominated by virtuosity, Count Basie carved out a distinctive niche for himself as a jazz minimalist, and over the course of fifty years his name became synonymous with wit, concision and swing in both big band and small group settings. Basie's sly, laid-back piano style produced the greatest possible rhythmic impact with only the barest outline of notes, and within the space of four bars he could set everything to cruise control with his swinging tempos and pianistic flourishes.