UW News

October 23, 2008

Jazz for vibes, viola virtuosity and spooky organ music coming from School of Music

Jazz for vibraphone and piano, world premieres on viola and eerie, Halloween-friendly organ music are among events offered by the UW School of Music in coming days.


UW faculty violist Melia Watras will present a fascinating array of short works for the viola, accompanied by Kimberley Russ, resident pianist of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, in Short Stories, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Meany Hall.


Described as “staggeringly virtuosic” by The Strad, Watras has been hailed by audiences and critics alike for her vibrant performances. She has long been at the forefront of the American new music scene, both as a soloist and co-founder of the award winning Corigliano Quartet (www.coriglianoquartet.com).


The concert will feature world premieres of Andrew Waggoner’s Elle s’enfuit and Anna Weesner’s Flexible Parts, both written for Melia Watras. Also on the program are pieces by J.S. Bach, Rebecca Clarke, George Enesco, Betsy Jolas, György Ligeti, Joan Tower, and Henri Vieuxtemps. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors.


The jazz duo Spencer-Blume comprises internationally renowned marimba virtuoso Julie Spencer and German composer and multi-instrumentalist Gernot Blume. The two will perform original jazz compositions for vibraphone and piano in a visiting artist recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Brechemin Auditorium. The concert is part of the UW Mallethead Series.


The duo performs original jazz compositions and improvisations in styles as diverse as bebop, swing, blues, Latin jazz and free jazz, and their influences include Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane. Tickets are $10, cash or check at the door.


Also, just in time for Halloween, the annual Littlefield Organ Series will present students of faculty artist Carole Terry performing spooky organ classics on the UW’s Littlefield Organ at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Walker-Ames Room of Kane Hall. Tickets will be $10, cash or check at the door.


For more information on these events, call 206-685-8384 or visit online at www.music.washington.edu.