Maplerock Jazz Festival

Ashland University’s award-winning Jazz program is proud to present the 2011 MAPLEROCK JAZZ FESTIVAL slated for Friday, April 29. Along with free performances by five area high school jazz ensembles in the afternoon, the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre featuring guest artists Paul Ferguson, trombone; Marc Piane, bass; and Bobby Selvaggio, saxophone. The afternoon performances are free and open to the public while tickets for the evening concert are available through the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Afternoon performances will begin at 12:30 p.m. with Ashland High School Jazz Band A followed at 1:00 p.m. with Lake High School Jazz Orchestra from Uniontown, Ohio, Ashland High School Jazz Band B at 1:30 p.m., Wellington High School Jazz Band at 2:00 p.m., and conclude with Rittman High School Jazz Band at 2:30 p.m.

The evening concert will present several selections performed by the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra led by Ashland University Associate Professor of Music Dr. Scott Garlock. Works will be selected from Paul Ferguson’s arrangement of “Danny Boy,” Dizzy Gillispie’s “Birk’s Works,” along with pieces featuring various soloists including Trent Kimball on saxophone for Rich Shanklin’s “Chief’s Blues,” Jim Slike on trombone for Nestico’s arrangement of “Lover Man,” and Aaron Hill on drums for Taylor’s arrangement of “Brush Taps.”

Guest artists will be featured on various pieces including trombonist Paul Ferguson performing his original compositions and arrangements of “Buckeye Blues,” “Mon Ami Jobim,” “That’s a Plenty” and “If I Should Lose You.” Bobby Selvaggio will be featured on saxophone for his own arrangement of “Transgressions” along with Howie Smith’s “Sonny’s Side Up.” On bass, Marc Piane will be the soloist for Charles Mingus’ “Nostalgia in Times Square.”

Tickets for the evening concert are $12 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students and Ashland University faculty and staff; and free for Ashland University students.

For more information about the Maplerock Jazz Festival or the Ashland University Jazz program, visit contact Tricia Applegate, coordinator of performing arts publicity and events, at 419-289-5950 or tapplega@ashland.edu.