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HomeArts/LeisureMid-South Jazz Festival takes the stage at APSU

Mid-South Jazz Festival takes the stage at APSU

apsu-logoThe Austin Peay State University Department of Music and the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts present the 2009 Mid-South Jazz Festival.

The festival begins with a performance by the John Proulx Trio at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 3 and concludes at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 4, with performances by the APSU Jazz Combo, the APSU Jazz Collegians and guest artist, Jim Ferguson.

The festival will take place in the Music/Mass Communications Building Concert Hall. Tickets for the John Proulx Trio concert on Friday cost $25 for adults, $12 for students. The tickets for the performance on Saturday are $3. Admission to both concerts is free for APSU students with student I.D.

David E. Steinquest will direct the APSU Jazz Combo, and Richard Steffen will direct the APSU Jazz Collegians.

Led by John Proulx, the Proulx Trio consists of Chuck Berghofer and Kendall Kay.  Proulx—pronounced “prue”—sings, plays piano and is also a Grammy-award-winning composer. Proulx’s debut album, “Moon and Sand,” has garnered national and international acclaim. Proulx has performed with Anita O’Day, Bobby Shew and Marian McPartland. Proulx just finished his second album, “Baker’s Dozen-A Tribute To Chet Baker,” which will be released in June 2009.

Berghofer plays string and electric bass.  During his diverse career he has played with Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Henry Mancini, Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, The Carpenters, Aaron Neville, The Everly Brothers, George Strait, Liza Minelli, Natalie Cole, Jon Secada, Vince Gill, Mel Torme, Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Merle Haggard, Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys, Barry Manilow, Elvis Presley, Frank Zappa, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. In November 2008, Berghofer released his first recording, “The Film Music of Ralph Rainger: Thanks for the Memory.” The album features Berghofer, pianist Jan Lundgren, drummer Joe La Barbera and special guest vocalist Sue Raney.

Kay was born in Durban, South Africa, and has played with most of the major jazz artists in South Africa, including Steve Kekana, Mike Makelemele, Alan Kwela and Izzio Gross. Kay moved to the United States in 1983 and graduated from North Texas State University with a degree in jazz studies. In 1987, he moved to Los Angeles where he became much in demand as both a live and session drummer.

For more information, contact the APSU Department of Music, (931) 221-7818.

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