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World-Renowned Saxophonist & Composer, Jeff Coffin, Highlights 38th Annual Jazz Festival Concert

Presented by University of Mary at Bismarck Civic Center

January 28, 2011

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U-Mary Faculty Anthony Williams Makes Jazz Festival Debut

Bismarck, ND — Jeff Coffin, the three-time Grammy Award winning member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and the Dave Mathews Band, will have jazz fans on their feet at the nationally acclaimed 38th Annual U-Mary Jazz Festival Concert on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at 8 p.m. in the Bismarck Civic Center.

Coffin’s unique sound comes from his enormous range of influences. He’s played on hundreds of recordings, performed with musicians from around the world and worked with artists in various genres, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Garth Brooks, to Brandford Marsalis and The Dixie Chicks, to name just a few.

"Jeff Coffin is an incredible musician and an outstanding clinician,” commented Anthony Williams, who is producing his first University of Mary Jazz Festival. “I am so excited for the festival attendees to witness his passion for music!"

Williams comes to the University of Mary from The LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, TN, and was second trombonist with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. Williams teaches applied low brass, low brass chamber ensembles, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Pep Band, Jazz Studies, Jazz Pedagogy/History and Introduction to Music. A native of Little Rock, AR, he holds a B.M. from the University of Central Arkansas and an M.M. from the University of Northern Iowa, and is completing his doctoral degree in trombone performance at University of Memphis.

Joining Coffin at the region’s premier jazz festival concert will be vocalists, Vijay Singh and Michele Weir; drummer Tom Giampietro; pianist Vladen Milenkovic; the award-wining U-Mary Jazz Ensemble; and the U-Mary Vocal Jazz group.

"We in the music department are all anticipating the festival concert. Our students are pumped to collaborate with the amazing guest artists,” added Williams. “This is a rare opportunity to hear some of the best jazz musicians in the world perform in concert with our university students.”

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased through the University of Mary Music Department
(701) 355-8301), at Eckroth Music and Lee’s Hallmark at Kirkwood Mall.

The U-Mary jazz festival runs from Friday, Jan. 28 through Saturday, Jan. 29. In addition to the concert, it includes two days of instrumental and vocal clinics from the guest artists and the U-Mary music faculty. Taking part in the sessions are students from over ## bands, representing more than ## high schools in the three-state region and Canada.