The Hilton School District’s 11th Evening of Jazz will be held on Friday, February 7 at 7 p.m. in the Merton Williams multipurpose room, 200 School Lane. This year’s guest artist is trumpet player and recording artist Jon Faddis.
Faddis began playing the trumpet at the age of eight, inspired by an appearance of Louis Armstrong on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” Three years later, his trumpet teacher turned him on to Dizzy Gillespie, with whom he subsequently appeared at the famed Jazz Workshop in San Francisco. Having played on over 1,400 recordings, Faddis is considered one of the few remaining “living jazz legends” who is still alive and performing today. He has played with many great musicians, such as Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Steve Turre, Clark Terry and many more. Faddis conducted and directed the “Dizzy Gillespie 70th Birthday Big Band” and Dizzy’s United Nation Orchestra” from 1992 to 2002, and also led the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band during this time.
Faddis has an unfailing commitment to the education of young musicians and frequently conducts clinics and master classes to help the next generation of jazz musicians. In 1999, Jon was appointed Artist-in-Residence in the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, State University of New York, where he teaches in both the brass and jazz programs.
Faddis’ performance in Hilton will be backed by a professional big band of local area college professors and music educators as well as featured performances by both the Merton Williams Middle School Jazz Ensemble and Hilton High School Jazz Ensemble.
The Evening of Jazz is an annual event highlighting the musical talents of Hilton’s instrumental jazz students in grades 7-12 as well as a fundraiser for the Hilton Music Boosters, a volunteer parent and community group dedicated to students’ music and academic careers. Tickets are $15 each for general admission. Reserved tables are available with the purchase of 10 or more tickets. Checks can be made payable to: Hilton High School Jazz Ensemble. Tickets can be purchased by calling Instrumental Music Teacher Jared Streiff at 585-392-1000, extension 2293 or emailingjstreiff@hilton.k12.ny.us.
Provided information
