Bass Concert Hall Season Opens with UT Wind Ensemble, 9/16

Texas Performing Arts presents The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble's first program of the performance season, with special guests Joseph Alessi, trombone, and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, Sunday, September 16 at Bass Concert Hall. Tickets ($15 / Limited $10 student tickets) are on sale now authorized ticket outlets, which include the Bass Concert Hall Box Office, most H-E-B stores and all Texas Box Office outlets, online at www.TexasPerformingArts.org, or by calling (512) 477-6060 or (800) 982-BEVO(2386).
 
Conducted by Jerry F. Junkin, The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble has firmly established itself as one of America's elite wind bands.  Since 1988, the group has been an active commissioner of new music for wind ensemble and has premiered works by composers such as John Corigliano, Michael Daugherty, Donald Grantham, David Maslanka, and Dan Welcher.

For this performance, the UT Wind Ensemble continues its commitment to new work with the premiere of John Mackey's Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble, performed by trombonist Joseph Alessi; and the premiere of the wind ensemble arrangement of Frank Ticheli's Playing With Fire, featuring San Antonio's Jim Cullum Jazz Band.

Considered to be one of the finest living trombonists, Joseph Alessi has been the Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic since 1985. Mr. Alessi is an active soloist, recitalist, and chamber music performer and is currently on the faculty of The Juilliard School. For more information on Mr. Alessi, please visit josephalessi.com. 
 
The Jim Cullum Jazz Band plays classic jazz in the vein of Jelly Roll Morton, Original Dixieland Jazz Band, New Orleans Rhythm Kings, King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, Louis Armstrong, and Sidney Bechet. The band performs frequently at the Landing Jazz Club on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.