Saint Mary’s Jazz Combo I to perform in Germany
During spring break, a group of Saint Mary’s students will bring their brand of American jazz to audiences in Germany. Led by Dr. John Paulson, professor and director of Jazz Studies, the 12-piece “little big band” will perform a wide variety of jazz selections at venues in and around the city of Cologne (Köln), Germany from March 5 through March 10.
On Tuesday, March 6, the group will travel to Urfeld, Germany, for an open rehearsal with “Musikfreunde Urfeld.” The Friends of Music in Urfeld is a community-based ensemble of high school musicians. Both ensembles will have the opportunity to perform for each other, and the evening will conclude with all the musicians joining together for a spirited jam session.
On Friday, March 9, the group will spend the day rehearsing with Stefan Güsgen – the 2010 winner of Germany’s National Magic Championships. In the evening, the SMU group will join forces with Güsgen in an event billed as “Jazz Meets Magic” at the 500-seat RheinForum, situated along the banks of the Rhein River in Wesseling, Germany. SMU music instructor A. Eric Heukeshoven has written a new arrangement of jazz great Grover Washington’s “Mr. Magic” especially for this gala event.
The group will perform a farewell concert Saturday, March 10, at the Kirchengemeinde Evangelische Kirche (Community Evangelical Church), also in Wesseling.
The public is welcome to attend a free homecoming concert Friday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. in SMU’s Figliulo Recital Hall.
Members of the SMU Germany 2012 Jazz Combo I include:
• Jessica Giers (Winona) – Music Education major, tenor sax
• Katy Kosiek (Schamburg, Ill.) – Music Education major, alto sax
• Markeise Russell (Chicago, Ill.) – Music Education/Saxophone Performance major, alto sax
• Ben Scott (Rochester, Minn.) – Philosophy major, tenor sax
• Dr. John Paulson – Professor, soprano sax
• Tyler Ringeisen (Cannon Falls, Minn.) – Music Education major, trumpet
• A. Eric Heukeshoven - Instructor, trombone
• Hans Heukeshoven (Winona) – Computer Science/Percussion Performance major, vibraphone
• Andy Lubinski (Winona) – Elementary Education major, electric bass
• Camden Webster (Stockton, Minn.) – Music Industry (Technology) major, electric guitar
• Trevor Woggon (Viroqua, Wis.) – Music Education major, piano
For more information, contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.
