Jim White on drums.
(Above) Shawn Purcell on guitar.
“World-class musicians” Shawn Purcell and Jim White will showcase their work Thursday, Feb. 13, in the second concert of MTSU’s popular Jazz Artist Series for 2013-14.
Guitarist Purcell and drummer White are alumni of MTSU’s Masters of Arts program in jazz and will perform with the MTSU Jazz Ensemble I and MTSU Jazz Faculty at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in Hinton Music Hall inside the university’s Wright Music Building.
“Both artists are well known in the jazz community and are world-class musicians and composers,” said Don Aliquo, professor of saxophone and jazz at MTSU. “We are thrilled to have them back on our campus.”
In conjunction with their visit, White and Purcell will each present public master classes at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 13 in MTSU’s Saunders Fine Arts Building. White’s class will be held in room 303 and Purcell’s in room 205.
General admission tickets to this Jazz Artist Series concert are $10 each at the door. MTSU students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with proper ID.
White, an active performer and educator, performed with the renowned “One O’Clock Lab Band” while in college and was recruited by Maynard Ferguson in 1992 for Ferguson’s “Big Bop Nouveau” band’s international tour. White also is featured on Ferguson’s recording “Footpath Cafe.”
In 1995, White moved to Nashville, where his versatility and unique sound have been featured on recordings by and performances with artists including J.D. Souther, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Crystal Gayle, Willie Nelson, Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Joey DeFrancesco and Pat Bianchi.
As an educator, White has performed clinics at universities and jazz festivals throughout the country. In 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Northern Colorado, where he currently serves as associate professor of jazz studies. He directs UNC’s Lab II Big Band, supervises the jazz combo program and teaches jazz history as well as applied drum-set students. He also currently co-leads the Colorado Jazz Orchestra.
Jazz guitarist, bandleader, composer and educator Purcell is active as a featured soloist with small ensembles and jazz big bands. He spent two years touring as the staff guitarist for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus after receiving his undergrad degree.
He then was chosen as the guitarist in the U.S. Air Force’s premiere jazz band, The Airmen of Note, with whom he performed at countless national and international venues and events. Purcell has shared the stage with many of the world’s top jazz artists, including The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Bop Alliance, Eddie Daniels and Pat Coil and has performed at renowned jazz clubs.
Purcell has served on the jazz faculty at MTSU, George Mason University and Tennessee State University and is an in-demand clinician leading master classes at many universities. He recently served as a Visiting Lecturer in Jazz Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, and in July 2011 won the jazz guitar position with the U.S. Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Md.
Currently in its 15th season, the MTSU Jazz Artist Series brings internationally renowned jazz artists to campus for performances and educational workshops. Past guest artists have included some of the most important jazz musicians and educators in jazz history.
The 2013-14 series concludes Saturday, April 5, with jazz saxophonist John Ellis.
For more information about jazz at MTSU, please visit mtsu.edu/music/jazzpage.php or call (615) 898-2493.
