Jazz Ensemble and Combos to perform Oct. 24

Dr. Matt Olson

The Furman Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos, with guest clinician/composer Don Owens, will present their fall concert Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. in Daniel Recital Hall on the Furman University campus.

Part of Furman’s Cultural Life Program, the concert is open to the public. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Tickets are available at the door.

The concert will be conducted by Furman music professor Dr. Matt Olson, and will feature music of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Wayne Shorter, Woody Herman, and Don Owens.

Don Owens is an internationally recognized clinician/conductor. Owens began his tenure at Northwestern University in 1979 where he is Coordinator Emeritus of the Jazz Studies and Pedagogy Program, and Director Emeritus, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the National High School Music Institute. Before coming to Northwestern, he taught 12 years at Evanston (Illinois) Township High School where his duties included directing band, brass ensembles, and jazz band, as well as teaching classes in music theory, popular music, free improvisation, and composition.

Owens received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Texas State University, where he also studied composition and jazz. He holds a Master of Musical Arts degree is from the University of Illinois. He studied composition with Morgan Powell, Merrill Ellis, Samuel Adler, and Salvatore Martirano. A recipient of numerous grants and awards, Owens is regularly commissioned for new works. More information about Owens may be found at www.donowensmusic.net.

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