Southeastern presents 12th annual Bill Evans Jazz Festival
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
Date: April 19, 2013
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University will pay homage to jazz legend and alumnus Bill
Evans with a festival in his honor this month.
The 12th annual Bill Evans Jazz Festival honors the deceased seven-time Grammy
Award winner and 1950 Southeastern graduate, considered the most influential jazz
pianist of his generation.
Sponsored by Southeastern's Arts and Lectures Committee, the College of Arts,
Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, this
year's festival includes three events that are free and open to the public and features
renowned saxophonist James Carter, one of the most admired saxophonists of his generation.
Carter began playing saxophone at age 11, first recorded with a Detroit student
ensemble in 1986 and, by 1991, had recorded with legendary trumpeter Lester Bowie.
Carter is credited with helping propel jazz into the future over the past 25 years.
The festival will include:
-- The Alumni Jazz Ensemble, Monday, April 29, 7:30 p.m., Pottle Music Building
Auditorium.
-- A jazz masterclass with saxophonist James Carter, Thursday, May 2, 2 p.m.,
Pottle Band Room.
-- James Carter and the Southeastern Jazz Combos and Jazz Ensemble II, Thursday,
May 2, 7:30 p.m., Pottle Music Building Auditorium.
For more information, email Southeastern Saxophone and Jazz Instructor Richard
Schwartz at richard.schwart@southeastern.edu.