A Jazzy Conclusion to USU's Wassermann Festival

When the 2010 Wassermann Festival got underway at Utah State University, its director, Dennis Hirst, promised diversity, and the conclusion of the concert series more than meets that promise.

 

The final concert offering features a jazz pianist — a first for the Wassermann — with the appearance of Bill Mays Tuesday, March 23, 7:30 p.m., at USU’s Performance Hall.

 

Tickets are available through the Caine School of the Arts Box Office, located in the Chase Fine Arts Center, FAC 139-B on the USU campus and at the door, depending on availability, performance night. Tickets are available online or call 435-797-8022. Adult reserved seats are $20 and student tickets, available to all students — not just USU students — are $8.

 

The Wassermann Festival is presented by the Department of Music in the Caine School of the Arts at USU. Concerts and master classes are a part of the festival.

 

Hirst is excited about exploring the realm of jazz piano at the Wassermann Festival.

 

“Since I began directing the festival, I’ve been interested in exploring how the piano is used in a variety of ways in music,” Hirst said. “There’s been a strong focus on how the piano is used in the classical recital setting, but that is only part of what we do. I’ve been interested in other collaborations, and when the opportunity to include a jazz pianist presented itself, I jumped. I’m excited to bring one of the living jazz greats to the festival to share his artistry as a pianist.”

 

In Logan, Mays will announce the concert program from the stage. Hirst said the program will include a mix of original compositions, jazz improvisations based on classical works and traditional jazz charts. Mays will be featured both in solo performance and with a trio that includes bass and drums. Joining Mays in the trio are bass player Aaron Miller and drummer Jay Lawrence.

 

Mays’s career as a jazz artist is long and distinguished. He is a noted performer, composer and arranger. Reviews provide audiences a glimpse of what to expect at a Mays performance.

 

“One of the masters of color and touch among today’s pianists,” said a review in Jazz Times.

 

“Mays plays on pure inspiration, that exalted level where mere technical concerns have been long forgotten,” said Mark Miller in the Toronto Globe and Mail. “The result is jazz of a sophistication and sheer spontaneity that’s rarely heard.”

 

In addition to his concert appearance, Mays will provide a demonstration class, open to the public, Tuesday March 23, at 12:30 p.m., at the Performance Hall. Admission to the master class is free for USU students, $10 general admission for all others.

 

The Mays appearance concludes the 2010 Wassermann Festival. The USU festival honors Irving Wassermann, a noted pianist and educator, who established the piano program at USU and was a long-time faculty member and department head in the Music Department.

 

“We’ve had a fantastic 2010 festival,” Hirst said. “Our audiences were truly treated to diverse performances by some of the world’s greatest artists. I’d like to thank our sponsors and enthusiastic audiences.”

 

For information on the 2010 Wassermann Festival, visit the festival Web site or contact Hirst at (435) 797-3257, Dennis.Hirst@usu.edu.

 

 

Writer: Patrick Williams, 435-797-1354, patrick.williams@usu.edu