Public Relations

                                                                                                                                University Communications

                                                                                                                                Edinboro, PA  16444

                                                                                                                                (814) 732-2194

                                                                                                                                FAX  (814) 732-2342

April 13, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JAZZ MUSICIAN WYNTON MARSALIS

TO PERFORM AT EDINBORO UNIVERSITY

            Edinboro University of Pennsylvania welcomes one of the world’s top classical trumpeter and jazz composer Wynton Marsalis to campus on Sunday, May 2, at 3 p.m. in the Louis C. Cole Auditorium – Memorial Hall.

Described as the most outstanding jazz musician and trumpeter of his generation, Marsalis has won countless awards and honors including nine Grammy Awards. He is the first jazz musician ever to be honored with the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in Music for his 1997 recording of Blood on the Fields.

Marsalis was born in New Orleans. At the age of 8 he performed traditional New Orleans music in the Fairview Baptist Church band led by legendary banjoist Danny Baker. At 14, he was invited to perform with the New Orleans Philharmonic. While in high school, he was a member of the New Orleans Symphony Brass Quintet, New Orleans Community Concert Band, New Orleans Youth Orchestra, and New Orleans Symphony. On weekends he would perform in a jazz band and a funk band, the Creators. At age 17, Marsalis became the youngest musician to be admitted to Tanglewood’s Berkshire Music Center.

Marsalis also studied classical music and recorded the Haydn, Hummel and Leopold Mozart trumpet concertos when he was 20. He performed with leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Pops, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, English Camber Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and London’s Royal Philharmonic.

He has produced 33 jazz and 11 classical records and has sold more than seven million records worldwide, including three certified gold records. Marsalis’ basic love of jazz music in a quartet format can be heard in his latest release of Magic Hour.

            Tickets for Marsalis’ concert are $25 person, $20 for senior citizens, and $10 for children under 12. Edinboro University students are $7 with a student ID. To purchase tickets, call the Office of the Performing Arts Series at 814-732-2518. 

CGH

Founded in 1857 by Scottish settlers, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania has grown to become the largest comprehensive university in northwestern Pennsylvania. Edinboro proudly celebrates its Scottish heritage every spring with the Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival. The University offers a summer abroad program in Scotland where President Frank G. Pogue and other University guests were greeted by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip.

Edinboro is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and enrolls nearly 8,000 students in 100 academic undergraduate and graduate programs. Edinboro is ranked among the nation’s top ten universities for its services for students with disabilities. To learn more about Edinboro University, visit our website at www.edinboro.edu.