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The Janis Siegel Duo
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Opening the night was the Janis Siegel Duo. Siegel, best known as a founding member of The Manhattan Transfer, has had a full and varied solo career as well, while pianist Kirk Nurock is an up and coming avant garde player. Siegel’s crystal clear voice sparkled in the acoustically perfect Concert Hall as Nurock’s playful accompaniment rounded out the performance.
Headliner David “Fathead” Newman glided between saxophone and flute, filling the hall with the distinctive sound that earned him a 10-year stint with Ray Charles. In January, Newman released a posthumous tribute to the great Ray Charles entitled I Remember Brother Ray. He has released close to 30 solo recordings in a career that also included a decade with flutist Herbie Mann.
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Newman with student Adam Larson in the masterclass
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The concert did not just attract concert-goers from Bloomington-Normal. “It’s interesting to note that over 30% of the audience came from outside the twin cities, said Healy. “We had people come from as far away as Gardner and Effingham for this concert.”
GLT General Manager Bruce Bergethon added, “The Center for the Performing Arts is an ideal door to the University for the outside community. Many of the attendees of the Jazz Masters Concert series have never been to the University before. One of GLT’s functions is to bridge the resources of the University to the general public.”
An important aspect of the annual Jazz Masters concert is an afternoon masterclass presented by one of the artists. The masterclass is always free, with music students of all ages encouraged to participate. This year’s class was held in Kemp Recital Hall and was attended by over 50 students ranging in age from 7 to 21 and their parents. Mr. Newman took questions for the first 30 minutes, then invited all students to join him on stage with their instruments. A 30-minute improvisation session followed, where the entire group played a Miles Davis tune and each student was given the opportunity to improvise a solo.
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Newman with Bruce Breitweiser at the masterclass
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“It was the kind of experience that will stay with each of those students their whole lives,” said Healy. “David Newman was so generous to give them all solo time. They were thrilled to be actually up there playing with one of their heros.”
This year’s concert was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Dunbar, Breitweiser, & Company, LLP, who have long been supporters of GLT. Partner Bruce Breitweiser is a jazz lover and member of Heartland Jazz Orchestra. His son, Eddy, plays for HJO as well, and even loaned his upright bass to Newman’s bass player for the evening. “Due to the generosity of Dunbar, Breitweiser, & Company,” said Bergethon, “we were able to present one of the best live concerts ever to come to Illinois State University. Bruce Breitweiser is a long-time friend of GLT and recognizes how important a public radio station is to the community, both on campus, and throughout central Illinois.”