Music

Concerts are subject to change.
2009 Jazz Under the Stars Events Co-sponsored by PLU's Summer Sessions, Music Department, and KPLU-FM-88.5 radio. 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 the July 30, August 6 and 13 performances On these dates, a tour of the W.M. Keck Observatory will follow, depending on weather conditions. Check out the PLU Physics Department webpage to learn more about the W.M. Keck Observatory at: http://www.nsci.plu.edu/astro// Alcohol not permitted on PLU Campus. Personal blankets/folding chairs only please. Please refrain from talking during the performances. Concerts are subject to change. Map and Driving Directions e-mail: music@plu.edu or call 253/535-7787
Jazz Under the Stars 2009
July 9	Kareem Kandi Group As a saxophonist, arranger, composer and instructor, Kareem Kandi performs and teaches throughout the northwest as well as around the country. The Kareem Kandi Band performs his compositions and arrangements regularly and Kareem is also in demand as a sideman for many local groups and national touring acts. Kareem received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Cornish College of the Arts, where he studied privately with Julian Priester, Hadley Caliman, Jovino Santos Neto, Dave Peck, Randy Halberstadt, Chuck Deardorf, and Jim Knapp. Prior to attending Cornish, he studied privately with Tracy Knoop, Jay Thomas, and Don Lanphere. Currently Kareem teaches the Jazz Improvisation class at the Tacoma School of the Arts, where he is an Artist in Residence. He also maintains a private studio of forty private students per week, gives master classes and workshops throughout the Puget Sound on a regular basis, and conducts the Jazz Ensemble (afternoon student group) at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
July 16	Dina Blade Trio Vocalist Dina Blade has a charming, natural swing and a fine talent for sculpting and building a song" -Earshot Jazz (Andrew Freund) An effervescent performer, KPLU¹S Jim Wilke praised her voice as “warm and inviting, fresh and original,” and included ³My Romance², her recent jazz standards CD, on his “Best of the Northwest” list. http://www.dinablade.com/
July 23	Dan Kramlich Trio Dan Kramlich returned to Seattle from Western Michigan University , where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies. While in Michigan , he studied with Fred Hersch, Billy Hart, and Dr. Steve Zegree. Dan currently performs with many local groups, including the Javatown Swing Orchestra, the Jim Sisko Quartet, The New Four, and his own piano trio. He has performed with such jazz greats as Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker, David Sanchez, and Bob Mintzer, and has performed in master classes for Rufus Reid, Eric Reed, Jim McNeely, and Clare Fischer. In addition to being a jazz faculty member at PLU, Dan is the jazz piano instructor at Seattle Pacific University , and at Creative Music Adventures in Seattle .
July 30	Island Jazz Quintet Based on Vashon Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle (hence the name) Island Jazz Quintet (IJQ) has released its third CD, Who Knows , to a standing-room-only crowd at the Crepe de Paris in Seattle . Already the disc is receiving world-wide radio airplay. A captivating live show has kept the band busy with regular concerts and club dates in the Seattle area as well as international stints as far as China and Mexico . "In these guys you have a fine instrumental quartet...They can swing with the best and seem especially influenced by the California cool sound of Chet Baker. Their rendition of the classic number Bernie's Tune is a knockout. But that's not all. They have a dynamite vocalist as well. Maggie Laird is a real find. Her take on One For My Baby is near perfect." -Lars Ghandil
August 6	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.
August 13	Gary Scott Quartet Saxophonist and multi-reed player Gary Scott started his career with the Airmen of Note, the official Air Force jazz orchestra founded by Glenn Miller . He spent twelve years in Las Vegas with the Caesar's Palace Orchestra, backing up many of the greatest names in show business, including over 1,000 performances with Frank Sinatra. As a West Coast jazz artist, he has performed and recorded with such greats as Frank Rosolino, Doc Severinsen, and Louis Bellson. He has toured several times in the UK and has upcoming performances at jazz festivals in Nice, Antibes, and Cannes.