FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shirley Luna – April 27, 2004

Renowned trumpet artist Marvin Stamm to perform with Swingin’ Axes

World renowned trumpet artist Marvin Stamm will perform with the Stephen F. Austin State University Swingin’ Axes at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 3, in W. M. Turner Auditorium. SFA’s Swingin’ Aces also will perform.

            Under the direction of Dr. Gary Wurtz, SFA assistant professor of music, Stamm and the jazz band will play Mike Steinel’s “Samba de los Gatos,” Ernie Wilkens’ arrangement of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday,” Thad Jones’ “Low Down,” Geoff Keezer’s arrangement of Ray Brown’s “When You Go” and Jack Cortner’s “Secret Love.”

            The Swingin’ Axes also will perform several pieces on their own, including Bill Reddie’s “Channel One Suite” and Robert Curnow’s arrangement of Pat Metheny’s “The Awakening.”

            Wurtz said he’s wanted to bring Stamm to Nacogdoches for several years.

            “Marvin has been at the top of the jazz and commercial recording industry for several decades. We are privileged to have such a highly respected musician playing with us,” Wurtz said.

            Stamm got his start when Stan Kenton discovered him at North Texas State University. After graduation, Stamm joined Kenton’s orchestra as his jazz trumpet soloist, touring and recording five albums with the group in the early ’60s. Stamm then toured worldwide with Woody Herman.

            After settling in New York in 1966, Stamm performed or recorded with many significant artists, including the Thad Jones /Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, the Benny Goodman Sextet, Bill Evans, Duke Pearson, Quincy Jones, Oliver Nelson, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Patrick Williams, Michel Legrand, Frank Foster, Paul Desmond and George Benson.

            Stamm left the recording industry in the late ’80s to focus his attention on playing jazz. Since that time, he has been a member of John Lewis’ American Jazz Orchestra, the Bob Mintzer Band, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Louis Bellson’s big band and the big band of composer Maria Schneider.

            Currently, Stamm performs either as a soloist, in duo with pianist Bill Mays or with his jazz quartet. He also performs with symphony orchestras throughout the United States and abroad.

            His recordings include “Machinations,” “Stammpede,” “Bob Boy,” “Mystery Man,” “By Ourselves,” “The Stamm/Soph Project” and “Elegance.”

            The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts, the University Series and the Department of Music.

            Prior to the concert, the College of Fine Arts will host a 6:45 p.m. reception honoring the event’s corporate sponsor, Burns, Morris and Stewart, in the Griffith Gallery. At 7 p.m., Wurtz will speak about Stamm and the program. The public is invited.

            Concert tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students and children.

            For more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or 1-888-240-ARTS or log on to www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

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