FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 15, 2005 - Sylvia Bierschenk

Guest trombonist to perform with SFA jazz band

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Guest Trombonist Tony Baker will perform with the Stephen F. Austin State University Swingin' Axes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in Cole Concert Hall.

The concert, which will feature a variety of jazz and big band tunes, will open with selections played by the SFA Swingin' Aces under the direction of Deb Scott, SFA associate professor of music.

"We are delighted to have Tony Baker join us for this concert," said Swingin' Axes director Gary Wurtz. "A faculty member at the University of North Texas, Tony is well respected across the nation as both a jazz and classical trombonist."

As a jazz musician, Baker has performed with groups such as the Woody Herman Band and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He has also performed on stage with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Steve Turre, Terry Gibbs, John Fedchock, Chris Vadala and Jiggs Whigham.

From 1997 to 2000, Baker was lead trombonist of the Columbus, Ohio-based professional big band, Jazz-to-Go.

Baker has recorded with the Sounds of Blackness and can be heard on the group's Grammy-nominated compact disc, "Time for Healing."

As a jazz clinician, Baker is on the faculty of summer jazz workshops at the University of North Texas and Northwest College in Cody, Wyoming. He has served as a clinician at the 2000, 2001 and 2002 University of North Texas Jazz Combo Clinics, the 2001 and 2002 University of North Texas Jazz Trumpet and Trombone Workshops, the 2001 and 2002 Yellowstone Jazz Camps, the 2002 Redbud Jazz Festival at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa and the 1999 Capital University Jazz Week in Columbus, Ohio.

Baker recently served as the All-State Conductor of the 2004-2005 Minnesota All-State Jazz Ensemble.

The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the Department of Music. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students.

For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or 888-240-ARTS.