Jazz Combos in concert April 24

The Furman University Jazz Combos will present a concert Sunday, April 24, at 8 p.m. in Daniel Recital Hall on campus.

Conducted by Furman music faculty members Matt Olson and Steve Watson, the concert is free and open to the public.

Featured music for the performance includes works by George Shearing, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Frank Loesser, Matt Dennis, Earl Brent, Charlie Parker, Billy Strayhorn and Blue Mitchell.

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

About Matt Olson
A native of Racine, Wis., Dr. Matt Olson is Associate Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at Furman. A scholar and performer, he has performed with a number of renowned artists, including 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, the Four Tops, children’s entertainer Shari Lewis, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. His performances have taken him to the Montreal Jazz Festival as well as Chicago’s Jazz Showcase and Orchestra Hall. He holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University.

About Steve Watson
Furman Jazz Studies and Jazz Guitar lecturer Steve Watson has performed all over the world. As a member of the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band, he toured Switzerland, Cyprus, Syria, Jordon, Egypt, and Tunisia. He was a member of The Bruce Hornsby Band from 1978-84. After moving to Los Angeles, he became a studio guitarist for television, movies and records. His credits include Hill Street Blues, Magnum P.I., The A-Team, L.A. Law, Simon and Simon, and Quantum Leap, among others. Watson served as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California from 1981-90, and as lecturer at the University of Miami in the late 70s. He is president of WatsonWood Music, Inc., and director of jazz studies at The Fine Arts Center. His current band, Watson’s Riddle, released a CD on Palmetto Records (Sony) in 2011. He holds a master’s from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s from Newberry College.