Furman Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos to perform concert on Friday, Oct. 12

OCTOBER 3, 2012
by Tina Underwood, Contributing Writer

The Furman Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos will present a concert Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. in Daniel Recital Hall on the Furman University campus.

The concert is open to the public. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

The performance is conducted by Matt Olson, Furman associate professor of saxophone and director of jazz studies.

Highlighting the concert are big band selections by Count Basie Orchestra, Neal Hefti, Oliver Nelson, Cole Porter and Charles Mingus.

Olson holds a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s in jazz pedagogy and a bachelor’s in saxophone performance from Northwestern University. Olson honed his craft under teachers including Frederick Hemke, Debra Richtmeyer, Mike Kocour, Don Owens, Paul Bro and Jonathan Helton.

His background includes performances with Randy Brecker, Kurt Elling, Benny Carter, Ken Peplowski, Kevin Mahogany, Chris Vadala, Doc Severinsen, Manhattan Transfer, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls, Johnny Mathis, Wayne Newton, the Temptations, and the Four Tops, among others.

For more information about the event, contact the Furman University Music Department at 864-294-2086, or FurmanMusic@furman.edu.