Jazz Concerts at CQU
Published on 26 June, 2002
Performers representing the history and future of jazz entertained a crowd of about a thousand people during the Tribute to Don Burrows concert at Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Wednesday night.
Leading jazz pros Don Burrows, Don Rader and Kevin Hunt, together with more than 120 years' experience, were joined on stage by a range of younger talents from the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music jazz orchestra, including 16-year-old saxophonist Kerry Armstrong.
Burrows, Rader and the orchestra have already had the chance to hit out together (with guest star James Morrison) on the Darling Harbour floating stage during the Sydney Jazz Festival in early June. The Mackay-based musicians spent 24 hours on a bus in either direction for the privilege of that 'rehearsal' opportunity in front of 10,000 fans.
ABC Local Radio presented the free concert in Rockhampton. Another concert was scheduled for 7pm Thursday night at the CQU Gladstone Campus. A Bundaberg event is scheduled for Friday, July 5, 7.30pm, at Moncrieff Theatre and Noosa (Saturday, July 6, 3pm at Noosa Botanical Gardens and Amphitheatre at Lake Macdonald).
Legendary musician Don Burrows (AO, MBE) has been at the forefront of the jazz world for most of his 60 years in the business. He's a household name in Australia, renowned for his musicianship and his enthusiastic support for the jazz arts. He's also highly respected internationally, where he's toured numerous times to great acclaim annually since 1960.
Don Rader has an enviable reputation. As a soloist (on both the trumpet and flugelhorn) and as composer / arranger, he has worked with key performers including Count Basie, Benny Carter, Percy Faith, Andy Williams, Henry Mancini and Diana Ross. Rader is a former American star now based in Sydney.
Kevin Hunt is a popular and versatile jazz pianist. He has, over the last 16 years, shared the stage with international artists including: Herb Ellis, Billy Cobham, Sheila Jordon, and Larry Adler. He has also recorded and performed with most of Sydney's prominent jazz artists and works with his own trio, the Kevin Hunt JS Bach Trio.
PHOTO: Burrows, Rader and the orchestra have already had the chance to hit out together (with guest star James Morrison) on the Darling Harbour floating stage during the Sydney Jazz Festival in early June.
For details call Marc Barnbaum via 07 4923 2558