Saint Mary’s Red Bird Club opens for one night, tonight

On Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. the Valéncia Studio Theatre (10th and Vila streets) will be transformed into the Red Bird Club Jazz Cabaret, showcasing the talents of Saint Mary’s student jazz musicians.

The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will salute the classic American jazz cabarets of the 1940s and ’50s. Joining forces with the jazz groups will be sultry torch singer Kelsey Thurston, and talented young crooner Darvell Jones. The emcee for the evening will be Sean Vaske, and music will be led by “Professor Jazz” himself, Eric Heukeshoven.

Great arrangements of classic big band favorites such as “String of Pearls,” “Woodchopper’s Ball,” “Tico Tico,” and many others will keep toes tapping. Table seating and cash bar service will add to the ambience of the evening.

Reserve your spot at the Red Bird Club soon. Seating is limited, and you won’t want to miss this one-night-only event!

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, contact the Performance Center box office 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ext. 1715 or go online to www.smumn.edu/tickets.

Saint Mary’s Red Bird Club opens for one night, Nov. 21

On Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. the Valéncia Studio Theatre (10th and Vila streets) will be transformed into the the Red Bird Club Jazz Cabaret, showcasing the talents of Saint Mary’s student jazz musicians.

The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will salute the classic American jazz cabarets of the 1940s and ’50s. Joining forces with the jazz groups will be sultry torch singer Kelsey Thurston, and talented young crooner Darvell Jones. The emcee for the evening will be Sean Vaske, and music will be led by “Professor Jazz” himself, Eric Heukeshoven.

Great arrangements of classic big band favorites such as “String of Pearls,” “Woodchopper’s Ball,” “Tico Tico,” and many others will keep toes tapping. Table seating and cash bar service will add to the ambience of the evening.

Reserve your spot at the Red Bird Club soon. Seating is limited, and you won’t want to miss this one-night-only event!

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, contact the Performance Center box office 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ext. 1715 or go online to www.smumn.edu/tickets.

­ John Paulson Big Band reunites for Nov. 23 event

John Paulson’s 17-piece contemporary jazz big band returns to Winona Sunday, Nov. 23, at 6:30 p.m. They will be performing two sets of all-original music at Wellington’s Pub & Grill.

The concert will feature exciting contemporary big band music composed and arranged by Paulson, who taught jazz and woodwinds at Saint Mary’s University for over 30 years. He is now professor emeritus at Saint Mary’s and an adjunct jazz instructor at Winona State University.

In addition to Dr. Paulson on saxes and flute, the ensemble  is comprised of 17 of the best jazz players and teachers in the region including trumpeter Scott Jensen of La Crosse, Wis.; Winona’s own Ray Dretske on tenor sax; alto saxophonist Brian Koser of Austin, Minn.; and an amazing rhythm section comprised of Dr. Rich MacDonald, drums; Larry Price, piano; bassist Eric Graham; and Twin Cities guitarist Scott Gerry. The program will highlight their exceptional soloing skills.

You may have heard this great band at their premiere concert at the Winona Arts Center in 2012 or at their celebrated appearance opening for the Hornheads as part of the Saint Mary’s Page Series in 2013. Their CD and DVD “The John Paulson Big Band Project” was funded by a grant from the McKnight Foundation and it is currently available on iTunes, CDbaby.com and numerous digital download sites. CD’s and DVD’s will be available at the concert.  Paulson’s music is published worldwide by eJazzLines.com and walrusmusic.com

There is no cover charge for the concert. Arrive early because seating will be limited. Wellingtons is located at 1429 W. Service Dr.

Saint Mary’s Red Bird Club opens for one night, Nov. 21

Darvell Jones and Kelsey Thurston

On Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. the Valéncia Studio Theatre (10th and Vila streets) will be transformed into the The Red Bird Club Jazz Cabaret, showcasing the talents of Saint Mary’s student jazz musicians.

The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo 1 will salute the classic American jazz cabarets of the 1940s and ’50s. Joining forces with the jazz groups will be sultry torch singer Kelsey Thurston, and talented young crooner Darvell Jones. The emcee for the evening will be Sean Vaske, and music will be led by “Professor Jazz” himself, Eric Heukeshoven.

Great arrangements of classic big band favorites such as “String of Pearls,” “Woodchopper’s Ball,” “Tico Tico,” and many others will keep toes tapping. Table seating and cash bar service will add to the ambience of the evening.

Reserve your spot at the Red Bird Club soon. Seating is limited, and you won’t want to miss this one-night-only event!

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, contact the Performance Center box office 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ext. 1715 or go online to www.smumn.edu/tickets.

The John Paulson Big Band reunites for Nov. 23 event

John Paulson’s 17-piece contemporary jazz big band returns to Winona Sunday, Nov. 23, at 6:30 pm. They will be performing two sets of all-original music at Wellington’s Pub & Grill.

The group is comprised of 17 of the best jazz players and teachers in the region and the program will highlight their exceptional soloing skills.

Professor emeritus Dr. John Paulson taught jazz and woodwinds at Saint Mary’s University for over 30 years and he is currently an adjunct instructor at Winona State University.

There is no cover charge for the concert but contributions will be welcome to offset expenses. Arrive early because seating will be limited. Wellingtons is located at 1429 W. Service Dr.

Music performances scheduled for Family Weekend, Oct. 3-4

Saint Mary's jazz students

Two public student performances—a jazz concert and a choir and band performance—highlight Saint Mary’s upcoming Family Weekend.

• The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo One launch another great season 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, in Figliulo Recital Hall, under the direction of A. Eric Heukeshoven. From familiar tunes by Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, and others, to contemporary compositions, the Jazz Ensemble’s season opener offers music for everyone. Jazz styles from the blues, jazz-rock, samba, and swing all come together to create a dynamic evening of variety. Jazz Combo One, also known as “Easy Company” this semester, will perform a tribute to jazz great Thelonius Monk with four of his most challenging original compositions. Seating is limited.

• The Concert Band and Choirs will combine talents for a 2 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 4, at Page Theatre. The Chamber Singers will perform works by Patrick O’Shea, Tomas Luis de Victoria, Hans Leo Hassler, and Thomas Tallis. The Concert Choir will perform works by Ludovico Viadana, Stephen Paulus, and Moses Hogan. Both choirs are directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea. After a brief intermission, the Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will feature Bandscapes by Sy Brandon. This is a 13-movement piece that showcases every section of the band, from the clever “Flute Fandango” to “Tuba Tango” and the “Finale Variations,” which combines the entire ensemble in unique ways. Percy Grainger’s beautiful and familiar Irish Tune from County Derry will round out the concert. A reception will follow.

Tickets to both performances are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the Saint Mary’s Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org/events. Tickets are also available at the door.

Music performances scheduled for Family Weekend, Oct. 3-5

Members of the Jazz Ensemble with director A. Eric Heukeshoven

Two public student performances—a jazz concert and a choir and band performance—highlight Saint Mary’s upcoming Family Weekend.

• The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo One launch another great season 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, in Figliulo Recital Hall, under the direction of A. Eric Heukeshoven. From familiar tunes by Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, and others, to contemporary compositions, the Jazz Ensemble’s season opener offers music for everyone. Jazz styles from the blues, jazz-rock, samba, and swing all come together to create a dynamic evening of variety. Jazz Combo One, also known as “Easy Company” this semester, will perform a tribute to jazz great Thelonius Monk with four of his most challenging original compositions. Seating is limited.

• The Concert Band and Choirs will combine talents for a 2 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 4, at Page Theatre. The Chamber Singers will perform works by Patrick O’Shea, Tomas Luis de Victoria, Hans Leo Hassler, and Thomas Tallis. The Concert Choir will perform works by Ludovico Viadana, Stephen Paulus, and Moses Hogan. Both choirs are directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea. After a brief intermission, the Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will feature Bandscapes by Sy Brandon. This is a 13-movement piece that showcases every section of the band, from the clever “Flute Fandango” to “Tuba Tango” and the “Finale Variations,” which combines the entire ensemble in unique ways. Percy Grainger’s beautiful and familiar Irish Tune from County Derry will round out the concert. A reception will follow.

Tickets to both performances are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the Saint Mary’s Box Office, 507-457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org/events. Tickets are also available at the door.

Saint Mary’s jazz ‘final’ is May 4 on the campus plaza

All three Saint Mary’s jazz groups will be featured in what has become an end-of-semester tradition known as the “jazz final.” The performance will take place on Sunday, May 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheatre, located on the Saint Mary’s plaza.

The concert will feature the Jazz Workshop Combo, Jazz Combo 1 and, for the first time ever, the entire SMU Jazz Ensemble. A wide variety of jazz favorites, from Count Basie’s big band to contemporary small group arrangements, will set the stage for an enjoyable afternoon in a casual, comfortable outdoor setting. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the performance will be moved inside to the Cardinal Club, located in the Toner Student Center.

The concert is free, and the public is invited to attend.

For more information, contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Jazz groups present ‘A Night in Havana’ April 4

It’s been a long winter, but things will soon heat up as Saint Mary’s Music Department presents “A Night in Havana” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, in Page Theatre.

Inspired by the music and rhythms he experienced while visiting Havana, Cuba last December, SMU jazz studies director A. Eric Heukeshoven and the talented student jazz musicians will bring music written and inspired by Cuban composers back home to Winona.

From Caravan — Duke Ellington’s collaboration with Juan Tizol — to Chick Corea’s La Fiesta, the concert will trace the threads of Cuban culture and its extraordinary contributions to jazz.

Special guests for the evening include a select group of percussionists led by SMU World Drum Ensemble director Dennis McGuire. The group will join the celebration on authentic Afro-Cuban instruments.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information, please contact Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Paulson, Heukeshoven to preview jazz performance

The jazz duo of John Paulson, flute, and Eric Heukeshoven, piano, will present a Winona preview of their upcoming performance at FluteFest 2014 in the Twin Cities. The duo will perform a short recital of jazz selections on Wednesday, April 9, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in  Figliulo Recital Hall.

On Saturday, April 12, the Saint Mary’s music faculty members will be featured performers at the Upper Midwest Flute Association’s annual FluteFest at Hamline University in St. Paul. (More information is available at http://umfaflutes.org/FluteFest2014). The featured guest artist at FluteFest 2014 is internationally renowned jazz flutist and composer/arranger Jim Walker.

The Winona preview event is free, and the public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Paulson secures contract to publish Big Band music

Dr. John Paulson, professor emeritus, has recently secured a contract with Walrus Music in Los Angeles, Calif. to publish all eight of the jazz charts from his “John Paulson Big Band Project” CD.  Walrus Music has been a source of innovative music for school and professional jazz ensembles for more than 25 years. Its catalog includes works by more than 150 writers, and after the final editing is completed, Paulson will be submitting each of the charts for online publication at www.walrusmusic.com.

The CD and accompanying DVD were released in December of last year, and they are available from iTunes, CDbaby, paulsonjazz and other digital download sites.  For more information, visit www.paulsonjazz.com. 

SMU jazz groups present ‘A Night in Havana’ April 4

It’s been a long winter, but things will soon heat up as Saint Mary’s Music Department presents “A Night in Havana” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, in Page Theatre.

Inspired by the music and rhythms he experienced while visiting Havana, Cuba last December, SMU jazz studies director A. Eric Heukeshoven and the talented student jazz musicians will bring music written and inspired by Cuban composers back home to Winona.

From Caravan — Duke Ellington’s collaboration with Juan Tizol — to Chick Corea’s La Fiesta, the concert will trace the threads of Cuban culture and its extraordinary contributions to jazz.

Special guests for the evening include a select group of percussionists led by SMU World Drum Ensemble director Dennis McGuire. The group will join the celebration on authentic Afro-Cuban instruments.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information, please contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Paulson, Heukeshoven to preview jazz performance

Eric Heukeshoven and John Paulson

The jazz duo of John Paulson, flute, and Eric Heukeshoven, piano, will present a Winona preview of their upcoming performance at FluteFest 2014 in the Twin Cities. The duo will perform a short recital of jazz selections on Wednesday, April 9, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in  Figliulo Recital Hall.

On Saturday, April 12, the Saint Mary’s music faculty members will be featured performers at the Upper Midwest Flute Association’s annual FluteFest at Hamline University in St. Paul. (More information is available at http://umfaflutes.org/FluteFest2014). The featured guest artist at FluteFest 2014 is internationally renowned jazz flutist and composer/arranger Jim Walker.

The Winona preview event is free, and the public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

SMU jazz groups present ‘A Night in Havana’ April 4

Eric Heukeshoven, right, and Dr. John Paulson, second from left, during a recent trip to Cuba. The upcoming concert 'A Night in Havana' is inspired by the music and rhythms of Havana,  Cuba

It’s been a long winter, but things will heat up as Saint Mary’s University’s Music Department presents “A Night in Havana” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, in Page Theatre.

Inspired by the music and rhythms he experienced while visiting Havana, Cuba last December, SMU jazz studies director A. Eric Heukeshoven and the talented student jazz musicians will bring music written and inspired by Cuban composers back home to Winona.

From Caravan – Duke Ellington’s collaboration with Juan Tizol – to Chick Corea’s La Fiesta, the concert will trace the threads of Cuban culture and its extraordinary contributions to jazz.

Special guests for the evening include a select group of percussionists led by SMU World Drum Ensemble director Dennis McGuire. The group will join the celebration on authentic Afro-Cuban instruments.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information, please contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Jazz Ensemble to perform jazzy twist on ‘The Nutcracker’

The jazz musicians of Saint Mary’s will bring a modern classic to town as they perform the amazing Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 6, in SMU’s Page Theatre.

Recorded in 1960 by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, this interpretation takes the classic ballet settings and turns them inside out. Noted jazz educator and historian Gunther Schuller wrote, “There are leaps of high imagination on every page. In Ellington’s ‘Nutcracker,’ they seem to come in just about every measure. I consider this one of the great American scores, and you'll probably never hear it at your local symphony!”

The modern arrangement of Duke Ellington’s original scores includes transcriptions of many of the original solos – most notably those of legendary clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton. Regional woodwind virtuoso David Townsend will be featured as guest clarinetist for this performance.

In addition to the Ellington masterpiece, Jazz Combo 1 will perform two arrangements by SMU jazz director A. Eric Heukeshoven that also take familiar holiday themes and infuse them with a healthy dose of jazz.

Rounding out the evening will be vocal performances of seasonal favorites by SMU students Keotta House and Gabriel Verges.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Jazz Ensemble to perform jazzy twist on ‘The Nutcracker’

The jazz musicians of Saint Mary’s will bring a modern classic to town as they perform the amazing Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in SMU’s Page Theatre.

Recorded in 1960 by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, this interpretation takes the classic ballet settings and turns them inside out. Noted jazz educator and historian Gunther Schuller wrote, “There are leaps of high imagination on every page. In Ellington’s ‘Nutcracker,’ they seem to come in just about every measure. I consider this one of the great American scores, and you'll probably never hear it at your local symphony!”

The modern arrangement of Duke Ellington’s original scores includes transcriptions of many of the original solos – most notably those of legendary clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton. Regional woodwind virtuoso David Townsend will be featured as guest clarinetist for this performance.

In addition to the Ellington masterpiece, Jazz Combo 1 will perform two arrangements by SMU jazz director A. Eric Heukeshoven that also take familiar holiday themes and infuse them with a healthy dose of jazz.

Rounding out the evening will be vocal performances of seasonal favorites by SMU students Keotta House and Gabriel Verges.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Paulson to release first Big Band jazz CD, DVD

Dr. John Paulson will release the long-awaited big band jazz CD and DVD, “The John Paulson Big Band Project” at a special CD release party on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Westfield Golf Club.

Paulson retired in 2012 after over 30 years of full-time teaching. He is now an adjunct jazz instructor at Saint Mary’s and Winona State.

The CD will include eight original jazz compositions of varying styles arranged for a 17-piece jazz ensemble; the DVD features video segments of “live” performances, interviews, all the selections on the audio CD, plus three bonus arrangements not included on the CD.

The release party will include “live” performances of Paulson compositions by the core rhythm section from the big band, including drummer Rich MacDonald, bassist Eric Graham, guitarist Scott Gerry, and Paulson on tenor saxophone, plus various JPBB members sitting in and demonstrating their solo skills.

The realization of this ambitious project is due in large part to a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council and the McKnight Individual Artists grant program. Last fall, Paulson secured the grant to support completion of the writing, hiring of the musicians and production of a concert at the Winona Arts Center, which featured original music that he has been working on for nearly 30 years.

The JPBB features outstanding regional players from Winona, Rochester, Austin and Red Wing, Minnesota, and from La Crosse, Wisconsin, plus several outstanding soloists from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

The JPBB CD and DVD will be available for sale at the release party for $10 and $15.  One half of the profits from the DVD will go to support Paulson’s Music Access for All program, which recycles used instruments and gets them to needy students in the Winona Public School system. The CD will soon be available from iTunes and CDbaby.com. Along with music, the release party will include light appetizers and a cash bar.

The event is free and open to the public. For further information on John Paulson or this event, please visit his website at paulsonjazz.com

Jazz groups open Family Weekend music performances

Saint Mary’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will begin another great season 6 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 27, in Figliulo Recital Hall under the direction of A. Eric Heukeshoven.

Music by classic jazz composers such as Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Thelonius Monk and George Gershwin, along with contemporary arrangements will be featured in this one-hour tour de force. Junior Thomas Plante will be featured playing flugelhorn on Monk’s haunting “Round Midnight.” And sophomore Nick Novotny on tenor sax will be joined by Tom Nalli on trombone for Dave Wolpe’s swinging arrangement of “Alone Together.”

The concert is open to the public, and seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, contact the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or go online to www.pagetheatre.org.

Jazz groups open Family Weekend music performances

Saint Mary’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will begin another great season 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in Figliulo Recital Hall under the direction of A. Eric Heukeshoven.

Music by classic jazz composers such as Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Thelonius Monk and George Gershwin, along with contemporary arrangements will be featured in this one-hour tour de force. Junior Thomas Plante will be featured playing flugelhorn on Monk’s haunting “Round Midnight.” And sophomore Nick Novotny on tenor sax will be joined by Tom Nalli on trombone for Dave Wolpe’s swinging arrangement of “Alone Together.”

The concert is open to the public, and seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, contact the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or go online to www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary's jazz combos to perform ‘final exam’ Sunday

Students in two exciting jazz combos from Saint Mary’s will perform their “final exam” on Sunday, May 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Acoustic Café, 77 Lafayette St.

Jazz Combo I, directed by Eric Heuekshoven, will play various selections from their recent Jazztennial performances including “Scrapple from the Apple” by Charlie Parker, “Roll Call” by Hank Mobley, and “Mercy Mercy” by Joe Zawinul, plus other great jazz standards. The Jazz Workshop Combo, directed by John Paulson, will perform familiar jazz tunes like “Song for My Father” and “Strollin’” by Horace Silver, and the recognizable “Stolen Moments” by Oliver Nelson, along with many others. The concert is free and open to the public.