Tenorman/Clarinetist Frank Griffith Performs at Ware Center This Weekend

Accomplished jazz clarinetist and tenorman, Frank Griffith travels from England to Lancaster to perform two unique concerts tonight, April 17 and Saturday, April 18. His performance on April 17 is promised to wrap up the Ware Center's season of the Jazz in the Sky performances on a high note. The concert begins at 7:30 pm at the Ware Center located at 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster. On Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 pm, Frank Griffith will join the 10th Annual Single Reed Symposium and finish the evening as a guest artist in the Jazz & Java concert on campus at Gordinier Hall located at 40 S. George Street, Millersville.

Currently Director of Performance at Brunel University School of Arts in London, Frank Griffith is said to be one the United States's biggest losses and one of the UK's gains. Frank Griffith was born in the United States and moved to London in his mid-thirties. While in the States he worked with Ron Carter, Jon Hendricks and Jack McDuff and played lead alto with the Glenn Miller Orchestra for a nationwide tour in 1984 . He has also worked with the orchestras of Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mel Lewis, Buddy Rich and Mel Torme. He has recorded with guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli on his CD's All Of Me and Naturally and produced and arranged for guitarist, Dave Stryker's Steeplechase CD Nomad. Since moving to the UK, Frank has played with many of the world's leading Jazz musicians and has written, published, recorded and issued many original and standard works all too great acclaim.

Mill Hill Jazz Club of North West London describes Frank's performances, "Frank's soul is in his public performances and whenever he plays at Mill Hill Jazz Club the audience never fails to be lifted by the superb tones, licks and melodies that flow endlessly from his saxophone." Richard Ingham of Clarinet and Saxophone Journal adds, "Frank Griffith's tenor playing shines throughout the album, showing beautiful control of the instrument, unhurried phrasing and continuous storytelling. The clarinet features lovely phrasing and smooth sound".

Frank Griffith will be accompanied by a top-notch trio on Friday evening at the Ware Center. The trio includes much-loved jazz pianist Steve Rudolph, bassist Hassan JJ Shakur, and multi-Grammy winning drummer/producer Bill Goodwin. In addition to being one of the area's favorite musicians at the keys, Steve Rudolph has also played a key role in coordinating this year's Jazz in the Sky series at the Ware Center. Harrisburg Magazine states, "Pianist/composer and founder of the Central PA Friends of Jazz - Steve Rudolph IS jazz in Central Pennsylvania."

Also known as Hassan J.J. Wiggins, Shakur, the bassist has led his own trio and played in a group with his father, the noted jazz pianist Gerry Wiggins. In 1972, while still in his teens, Wiggins played on the Billie Holiday tribute album With Billie in Mind under the leadership of the legendary swing pianist Teddy Wilson. From 1974 he worked with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington. Bill Goodwin has been a professional drummer since 1959, and has performed with many jazz instrumentalists such as: Bill Evans, Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, Jim Hall, George Shearing and Bobby Hutcherson, and singers such as June Christy, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, Mose Allison and Manhattan Transfer.

Saturday's concert at the Winter Center will conclude Millersville University's 10th Annual Single Reed Symposium coordinated by Dr. Christy Banks. The Single Reed Symposium is an all-day celebration open to all lovers of clarinet and saxophone, regardless of age or background. Griffith is a guest artist for the Single Reed Symposium, giving a jazz improvisation clinic, a workshop about entrepreneurship in the arts, and performing with students during the day. He will be a featured soloist with the MU Jazz Ensembles at the Jazz & Java Alumni event. This concert will take place in Lehr Dining Room in Gordinier Hall on Millersville's campus.

Tickets for Jazz in the Sky at the Ware Center on Friday night, April 17 are $25 each. Tuition for the Symposium is $15. Tickets for the Jazz & Java concert on April 18 are $15 and free to MU students with valid ID. Tickets can be purchased by calling 717-871-7600 or visit www.ArtsMU.com. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Ticket Office located in the Student Memorial Center on Millersville's campus, or the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street, in Lancaster. Doors open one hour before each show for ticket sales, subject to availability.

The Millersville University Visual and Performing Arts Season is made possible by support from Season Partner Rodgers & Associates and Season Sponsors: Aussie and the Fox, Clipper Magazine, Hagelgans & Veronis, The Hotel Lancaster, 12:34 MicroTechnologies, Ann B. Barshinger, Peggy Neff, Mary S. Burton & Laurent Horne, Linda Holman Marcks, and Mary Kearns & Jon Walker. Media Sponsors are Fig Lancaster Magazine and Fine Living Lancaster. The film series is sponsored by Carmen & David's Creamery.