MRU Presents: Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

MRU CONS E R VAT

ORY PRESE NTS

BRIAN BLADE & THE FELLOW

SHIP BAND

MUSIC TO YOUR EAR S CONCERT SEASON 2016/17 JAN. 2 9, 2017 • 7:30 P .M.

 @MRUPERFORMS • #BELLASTYLE #MRUBELLA  @MRUCONSERVATORY • #BELLASTYLE #MRUBELLA  MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY CONSERVATORY

Message from the Conservatory Welcome to the Music to Your Ears concert season at the Bella Concert Hall in the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts! We are so excited to launch our inaugural season featuring seven separate series with over 25 diverse events.

As a world-class centre for arts education and training, we are committed to providing education and performance opportunities for our students as well as showcasing exemplary artistic achievement in music and speech arts. From reggae legends and jazz aficionados to eastern classical masters to Canadian astronauts, this year’s line-up quite literally has something for everyone.

Brian Blade is the musician’s musician. He takes a no-boundaries approach to which musical genre he collaborates in, with the caveat that it’s got to have heart. As comfortable a band leader as he is a player, he’s all about elevating the ensemble. We’re pleased to offer a midwinter taste of Louisiana with Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band.

The Bella Concert Hall is an award-winning venue with perfect acoustics to amplify the finest artistic voices of our time. For upcoming artists, visit mru.ca/ enjoy.

We are so privileged to welcome Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band to the Bella.

Mark DeJong Artistic Program Coordinator

From about age nine to age thirteen, Brian Blade played violin in the school orchestra. Eventually he followed the footsteps of his older brother, Brady l.

Blade, Jr. who played the drums in the Zion church.

During high school Brian was a student of Dorsey Summerfield, Jr. and performed as part of his professional group called “the Polyphonics”. During this time and through his experience with Mr. Summerfield, Brian began was exposed to jazz and a rich array of music.

Loyola University, and the music of New Orleans cemented even more musical influence into Brian’s ear. It was at this time that Brian met Jon Cowherd and the roots of the Fellowship Band began to take hold.

Both Brian and Jon were able to study and play with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans.

In 1998, Brian and Jon Cowherd began recording their own music with the group “The Fellowship”. Along with Brian and Jon, Fellowship Band members include Chris Thomas, Myron Walden, and Melvin Butler.

The band has released four albums together to date – “Fellowship” and “Perceptual”, both on Blue Note, and the 2008 Verve recording, “Season of Changes”.

“Landmarks” (on Blue Note) the bands forth record landed them a Grammy Nomination for Best Jazz Record in 2014.

The Fellowship Band draws from all genres of music, but perhaps most noticeably from the emotion and spirit of gospel music. The band sensitivity and spirit are undeniable. Fans and critics alike site the Fellowship Band as the most important contemporary jazz band of our day.

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Acquisition of our Hamburg Steinway Piano was made possible through generous support from an anonymous donor and The Community Facility Enhancement Program, Alberta Culture and Tourism.

Take Your Seat at the Bella Concert Hall Ensure that you always have the best seat in the house. A tax-deductible donation of $1000 is all it takes to place your name on a seat in Calgary's brand new Bella Concert Hall in the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts. With only 300 seats left, now is the time to support your arts community by sponsoring in your name, or the name of a loved one. Each seat sponsorship comes with the gift of a pair of concert tickets to an MRU Conservatory event of your choice at the Bella in 2017.

To take your seat, and for more information, contact Heidi Christophel at 403.440.6591.

MRU CONSERVATORY Adult Beginning Band Ages 18+

Vocal Jazz Ensemble Ages 18+

Jazz Ensemble Ages 13+

Beginning Guitar I & II Ages 15+

Drumset Educational Camps Ages 15+

Summer Jazz Workshop Ages 13+, adults welcome

Saxophone Quartet Ages 13+

mru.ca/conservatory

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

Tickets at mru.ca/enjoy

Wu Man

& Friends MAR. 3, 2017

Antigona

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca MAR. 10, 2017

Journey LIVE!

Fifth House Ensemble MAY 6, 2016

Zukerman Trio FEB. 17, 2017

Kronos Quartet MAR. 22, 2017

Canadian Guitar Quartet FEB. 8, 2017

Pedrito Martinez

Group APR. 22, 2017

Avital Meets Avital MAR. 15, 2017

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Music to our ears Thank you to our partners and sponsors for helping us bring concerts, community and culture to our hometown through the performing arts.