February 23-25, 2012 Jazz Fest features guest artists in concert
Diverse sounds blend during three days of jazz 
LOUISVILLE,
Ky. – Legendary bassist Eddie Gomez and master saxophonist Lou
Donaldson will be featured performers at UofL's Jazz Fest 2012, Feb.
23-25. All concerts will be at the School of Music, Margaret Comstock
Concert Hall.
The Latin Grammy Award winner Gomez has been on the
cutting edge of music for over four decades. Born in Puerto Rico,
Gomez’s early talent with the double bass led to studies at the
Juilliard School of Music followed by performances with the Bill Evan’s
Trio and the likes of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie and
Chick Corea. Now performing with his own group, Gomez is artistic
director at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and a sought-after
educator. Gomez will perform with his trio and UofL’s Jazz Ensemble I, 8
p.m., Friday, Feb. 24.
Acclaimed by critics as the “greatest
alto saxophonist in the world,” Donaldson earned the nickname “Sweet
Papa Lou” as a bandleader with Blue Note Records in the 1950’s. Now the
label’s oldest musician from that notable era of jazz and 85 years old,
he is a member of the International Jazz Hall of Fame and still
entertains audiences worldwide with his signature tunes and classic
hits. His quartet will perform with UofL’s Jazz Ensemble I, 8 p.m.,
Saturday, Feb. 25.
Other jazz fest performers include Fabio Calazans Sextet and the University Brazilian Ensemble, 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23.
Tickets vary from $5 to $7 for students and $7 to $17 for all others depending on the night of performance.
Jazz
Fest is hosted by the UofL School of Music and the Jamey Aebersold Jazz
Studies Program. Other sponsors include Visiting Jazz Artist Endowed
Chair; Jamey Aebersold Jazz; Kenneth Beilman; BankingQuestions.com;
Friends of the School of Music; Louisville Jazz Society; and WFPK.
More information on Jazz Week 2012 is available at the Jazz Fest website
or by calling 502-852-6907. For information on artists and workshops
call Jerry Tolson, fest director and jazz professor, at 502-852-6972.
