Music

Concerts are subject to change.
2008 Jazz Under the Stars Events Co-sponsored by PLU's Summer Sessions and Music Department, KPLU-FM-88.6 radio and Prosser Piano of Tacoma, WA. Refreshments Provided by Pura Vida.
Thursdays, 7-9 pm during the summer at Mary Baker Russell Music Center Ampitheater. In case of rain, the jazz performances will be held in Lagerquist Concert Hall. Free Admission - No Tickets Required. Pura Vida Coffee: Complimentary Pura Vida Coffee provided at each performance. Star Charts / W.M. Keck Observatory: Complimentary star charts will be distributed at each performance. A tour of the W.M. Keck Observatory will follow the performances, depending on weather conditions. Receive a complimentary star chart at each performance. Check out the PLU Physics Department webpage to learn more about the W.M. Keck Observatory at: http://www.nsci.plu.edu/astro// Prosser Piano: Thanks to Prosser Piano for the use of their jazz piano for all Jazz Under the Stars performances. Alcohol not permitted on PLU Campus. Personal blankets/folding chairs only please. Please refrain from talking during the performances. Ticket Information Map and Driving Directions e-mail: music@plu.edu or call 253/535-7787
Jazz Under the Stars 2008
July 8 10th Anniversary Gala Pearl Django Greta Matassa at the Tacoma Museum of Glass	Pearl Django Celebrating more than 12 years in existence, Pearl Django continues to be one of America's most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. The band's fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephanie Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiast (and guitarists!), lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, “world music”, fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dancehalls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals alike. Greta Matassa Four times voted the northwest's “best jazz vocalist” by Earshot Jazz, Greta Matassa is one of the most talented singers working in jazz today. Her one-woman show, “Ella and Billie,” a musical tribute, won her critical acclaim. Matassa has become one of the hottest tickets on the northwest jazz scene. She has released four CD's and a DVD live concert.
July 10 Dennis Hastings, Vocalist	Dennis Hastings Dennis Hastings has been a vocalist and a presenter of shows for over twenty years. A long time Olympia resident and a graduate of The Evergreen State College, he also performs weekly at Ristorante Auguri in Auburn, Washington, as well as other numerous functions highlighting his unique expertise in jazz and swing idiom. His current project is called The Dennis Hastings DEK-TET. It is a show dedicated to the musical arrangements of Mel Torme and his longtime collaborator, Marty Paich, a well-known fixture of the L.A. scene who has worked for a number of musicians including Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, and Michael Jackson.
July 17 Lance Buller and Stephanie Porter	Lance Buller and Stephanie Porter Born in Toronto, Ontario, Lance took up trumpet at the age of 13. In college he started playing with the top rock, jazz and Latin groups in LA. He was Solo Chair for The Hollywood Bowl Productions Band under the direction of such notable leaders as Gordon Jenkins Jr., Mercer Ellington, Dave Grusen and Henry Mancini. He joined the AFM at the age of 20 and hit Vegas working the Dunes and Aladdin Casinos. He worked with Little Anthony, Bob Marley and at 24 began a long association with The Beach Boys, which included 5 albums and tours to Europe, Australia and the U.S. His recording career, which began in 1974, includes 24 albums, including 5 with his own band The Monarchs. He prefers being on stage in a performing capacity and is often featured with show-biz Greats. “There is nothing like being up there with a hot band behind you and a great crowd to entertain. That's why I'm here!”
July 24 Greg WIllianson Pony Boy Records All-Star Big Band	Greg Williamson Pony Boy Records All-Star Big Band The Pony Boy Records All-Stars is a big band ensemble led by the company's founder, drummer Greg Williamson. Greg has pulled together an amazing library of arrangements dating back to the original swing hits of the 40s – all the way up to today's large jazz ensemble orchestrations.
July 31 Hip Bones	Hip Bones Hip Bones is a Tacoma-based trio in the tradition of the Hammond B-3 organ trios that recorded for Blue Note Records from the 1950s on. Organist Buck England describes his music as “kind of jazz-based old Hammond B-3 throwback music with a more modern funky touch.” Mr. England is joined by Jho Blenis on guitar and Mike Slivka on drums.
August 7 Gail Pettis, Vocalist	Gail Pettis, Vocalist Three-time nominee and recent winner of Earshot Golden Ear Awards Northwest Vocalist of the Year, and recent First Place winner of the Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition, Gail is a welcome addition to the Pacific Northwest jazz scene. Gail's style is at once subtle and elegant, sultry and soulful. Her rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have inspired comparisons to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. Most recently, she was artist-in-residence at the Amersfoort Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. Her debut CD, May I Come in?, released in August 2007 on the OA2 Record label, is receiving local and national airplay, achieving “Chartbound” status several times since its release.
August 16 David Joyner Trio	David Joyner Trio Dr. David Joyner is Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies in the Music Department at Pacific Lutheran University. He is also the producer and emcee of Jazz Under the Stars. Dr. Joyner is active in the Puget Sound professional jazz scene, performing with a number of instrumental and vocal artists. His trio features his own original compositions as well as his unique arrangements of jazz standards and tunes from the Great American Songbook.