2023 | 2024
Welcome to the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Please turn off all electronic devices. Photography, recording, or digital capture of this concert is not permitted. 404.727.5050 | schwartz.emory.edu | boxoffice@emory.edu
Audience Information The Schwartz Center welcomes members of Mu Phi Epsilon and a volunteer usher corps of about 40 members each year. Visit schwartz.emory.edu/volunteer or call 404.727.6640 for ushering opportunities. The Schwartz Center is committed to providing performances and facilities accessible to all. Please direct accommodation requests to the Schwartz Center Box Office at 404.727.5050, or by email at boxoffice@emory.edu. The Schwartz Center wishes to gratefully acknowledge the generous ongoing support of Donna and Marvin Schwartz. Cover Design: Lisa Baron | Cover Photo: Mark Teague
MUSIC 2023 | 2024
Emory Jazz Combos Chris Riggenbach, combo director Penelope Williams, combo director
Emory Big Band Gary Motley, director Randy Hunter, assistant director Jane Chakraborty, student assistant Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 8:00 p.m. Emerson Concert Hall Schwartz Center for Performing Arts
Emory Jazz Studies The Emory Jazz Studies program features courses in improvisation and history, as well as private instruction and performance opportunities. The mission is to educate students about the rich traditions of American jazz while providing insight into the creative process through performance and analysis. The program includes undergraduate and graduate students spanning the liberal arts. Musicians develop skills in performance through the study of classic repertory in smaller ensembles or in the big band, which focuses on traditional works of the past and present.
Emory Jazz Combos Program Combo 3 All Blues
by Miles Davis
Blessed Relief
by Frank Zappa
Simren Kochhar, trombone; Robert Schmidt, alto saxophone/flute; Satya Thota, trumpet; Ayush Basu, piano; Joshua Sun, piano; Zinc Zhao, guitar; Quinn Fetterly, electric bass; Holden Vance, acoustic bass; Sergio Solis, drums Penelope Williams, combo director
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Combo 2 by Bernie Miller
Bernie’s Tune Dindi
by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Ray Gilbert
Four
by Miles Davis and Jon Hendricks
Ruby Stillman, vocals; Noah Willhite, tenor saxophone; Jonah Kohler, tenor saxophone; Alok John, piano; Will Curl, guitar; Chris Riggenbach (instructor), bass; Sergio Solis, drums Chris Riggenbach, combo director
Combo 1 by Henry Mancini
The Days of Wine and Roses How Insensitive
by Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, and Norman Gimbel
One Finger Snap
by Herbie Hancock
Michael Wang, alto saxophone; Jay Hammond, tenor saxophone; Jane Chakraborty, piano; Justin Hahm, guitar; Kevin Wu, bass; Tommy Parker, drums Chris Riggenbach, combo director
Brief Set Change (five minutes)
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Emory Big Band Program by Tom Kubis
Is There Life After Bebop?
by Wayne Shorter arr. Mike Tomaro
Speak No Evil
Ponteio
by Edu Lobo and Jose Carbos Capinan arr. Eric Richards
Nardis
by Miles Davis arr. George Stone by Mongo Santamaria arr. Michael Philip Mossman
Afro Blue
by Denzil de Costa Best arr. Mike Tomaro
Move
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Emory Big Band Personnel Saxophone Randy Hunter (artist affiliate), Robert Schmidt, Jay Hammond, Jonah Kohler, Clement Leung
Trombone Shiven Sinha, Griffin Noble, Aiden Amaya, Tim Brewer
Trumpet Justin Powell (artist affiliate), Joey Chen, Jeffrey Zheng, Satya Thota, Henry Donath, Andy Blumberg
Rhythm Section Aaron Tyutyunik, piano; Evan Covey, guitar; Justin Hahm, bass; Tommy Parker, drums
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Emory Jazz Faculty and Artist Affiliates Gary Motley, Director of Jazz Studies Since launching a solo career in 1994, Gary Motley has been at the forefront of jazz in the southeastern United States, establishing himself as both a keyboard virtuoso and a composer. His captivating performances transport audiences back in time as Motley blends musicianship, creativity, and tradition. Recognized by Downbeat magazine, the American Composers Forum, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, Motley was recently cited by his home state for his artistic and educational achievements with his induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Motley is also committed to jazz education and awareness. In his role at Emory, Motley developed the Robert Strickland Jazz Studio—an innovative, interactive teaching facility that integrates the rich heritage of American jazz with today’s technology practices.
Dan Baraszu, Guitar Detroit-born, guitarist-composer Dan Baraszu started playing guitar at age nine. Early in his career, he explored many different styles of music. However, when he first heard the genius of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, Baraszu devoted himself to becoming a die-hard jazz artist. His major influences include guitarists Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, and John Scofield, as well as other instrumentalists like Bill Evans, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Charlie Parker. Baraszu received a bachelor’s degree from the renowned Berklee College of Music, where he majored in jazz composition and arranging, and a master’s degree from the University of Miami with a major in jazz pedagogy.
Justin Chesarek, Drums After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education from Slippery Rock University, Justin Chesarek attained a master of music degree in jazz studies at Georgia State University. He performs regularly with Joe Alterman, Trey Wright, Gary Motley, Joe Gransden, Sam Burchfield, and the ATL Collective. Chesarek has appeared at the Iridium and the Blue Note in New York City; the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; a TED Talk; the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival in Alaska; the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands; and the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Chesarek also teaches jazz percussion at Kennesaw State University. He is a board member of the Atlanta Lovers of Music Association, and he endorses Vic Firth drum sticks. 8
Randy Hunter, Saxophone Randy Hunter is a professional saxophonist, educational author, and private music instructor from Marietta, Georgia. He studied music education with an emphasis in jazz pedagogy at Valdosta State College. Focused on generating educational jazz material, Hunter developed a series of étude, duet, and combo method books titled Complete Jazz Styles, that has been endorsed by several well-known jazz artists including Joe Lovano, Jerry Bergonzi, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, and John Fedchock. He also created jazz improvisation-oriented instructional material in multimedia format, including several eBooks. At Emory, Hunter teaches jazz saxophone and is the assistant director of the Emory Big Band.
Justin Powell, Trumpet Atlanta-based trumpeter, composer, arranger, and educator Justin Powell has been active in the Atlanta music scene since moving to the area in 2013. Powell has a master of music degree from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, and a bachelor of music degree in jazz performance from Valdosta State University. He stays busy performing and recording with the Terminus Horns. As a performer Powell has been able to share the stage and collaborate with incredible artists including the Gorillaz, Josh Groban, the Floozies, American Authors, Red Wanting Blue, Sister Hazel, the Isley Brothers, Bobby Feeno, Angie Stone, Chuck Israels of the Bill Evans Trio, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Balsam Range, and the O’Jays. Powell is well-versed in all styles of music and has worked with several classical orchestras, brass quintets, and pop and rock bands, and is a top call session player in the Atlanta area. In addition to performing live, he has arranged horn parts in a variety of styles for live performance and studio sessions.
Chris Riggenbach, Double Bass and Electric Bass Chris Riggenbach has played bass with Josh Groban, Chloe Agnew, Gary Motley, Wycliffe Gordon, Victor Goines, Audrey Shakir, Karla Harris, Ted Howe, Keith David, Sarah Partridge, Marcus Lewis, Josh Lawrence, Raphael Imbert, Matt Catingub, Jens Lindemann, Steve Moretti, Macon Pops, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Atlanta Opera, Jazz Legacy Big Band, 4th Ward Afro Klezmer Orchestra, Sweetwater Junction, and Gold Sparkle Band. He has also played bass on Wicked, The Sound of Music, Catch Me If You Can, Dreamgirls, Bonnie & Clyde, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2010, Riggenbach performed in Poland with the Josh Lawrence Jazz 3 at the Sopot Molo Jazz Festival and Piwnica pod Baranami in Krakow. Riggenbach has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Georgia 9
State University. He studied bass with Dee Moses, Ralph Jones, Thomas Thoreson, Neal Starkey, Rich Nanista, and Robert Dickson. Riggenbach teaches bass and directs jazz combos at Emory University.
Penelope Williams, Piano and Vocals Penelope Williams, MM, piano/keyboards/vocals, has performed in countless venues across the globe. A longtime resident of Atlanta, her musical residencies have included the Ritz Carlton Atlanta, Omni Hotel, and Hotel Nikko, among others. Williams’s love of music keeps her active as an instructor of jazz and performance at Emory University, Global Village Project, and the Lovett School. Additionally, she is a creative arts director with the Spiritual Living Center Atlanta and the founder of Gratitude Jazz Foundation, an organization raising awareness of women jazz musicians and composers by providing a positive and supportive environment, i.e., a haven for artistic growth.
Music at Emory The Department of Music at Emory University provides an exciting and innovative environment for developing knowledge and skills as a performer, composer, and scholar. Led by a faculty of more than 60 nationally and internationally recognized artists and researchers, undergraduate and graduate students experience a rich diversity of performance and academic opportunities. Undergraduate students in the department earn a BA in music with a specialization in performance, composition, or research; many simultaneously earn a second degree in another department. True to the spirit of Emory, a liberal arts college in the heart of a research university, faculty members and ensembles also welcome the participation of non-major students from across the Emory campus. Become a part of Music at Emory by giving to the Friends of Music. A gift provides crucial support to all music activities. To learn more, visit music.emory.edu or call 404.727.6280.
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Emory Jazz Alliance The Emory Jazz Alliance is devoted to supporting jazz education, awareness, and performance at Emory University. Donations will support Emory Jazz Studies by providing funding for residencies, program development, and community outreach. Students of Emory Jazz have been a part of an exceptional and nurturing space that prepares students to be the next generation of jazz artists and also creates connections and educational experiences with the industry’s top jazz artists. Become a member today by visiting music.emory.edu/home/about/support or scanning the QR code.
Upcoming Emory Jazz Concerts Many concerts at Emory are free to attend. Visit music.emory.edu or schwartz.emory.edu to view complete event information for all Muisc at Emory events. If a ticket is required for attendance, prices are indicated in the listings below in the following order: Full price/Emory student price (unless otherwise noted as the price for all students). Saturday, January 27, 8:00 p.m., Jazz Meets Classics, ECMSA: Emerson Series, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free Friday, February 2, 8:00 p.m., Emory Jazz Fest 2024, Bobby Broom, guitar, Schwartz Artist in Residence, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, $30/$10, tickets required Saturday, February 3, 8:00 p.m., Emory Jazz Fest 2024, Emory Big Band, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free, tickets required Tuesday, March 26, 8:00 p.m., Emory Jazz Combos, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free Thursday, April 11, 6:00 p.m., Jazz on the Green, Patterson Green, free Tuesday, April 16, 8:00 p.m., Emory Big Band, Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall, free 11
Music at Emory Music at Emory brings together students, faculty, and world-class artists to create an exciting and innovative season of performances, lectures, workshops, and master classes. With more than 150 events each year across multiple Emory venues, audiences experience a wide variety of musical offerings. We hope you enjoy sampling an assortment of work from our student ensembles, community youth ensembles, artists in residence, professional faculty, up-and-coming prodigies, and virtuosos from around the world.
music.emory.edu