The Four Freshmen to Play the Suncoast Showroom, 4/4-5

Carrying on a 67 year legacy, the Four Freshmen will perform their pop and jazz harmonies at the Suncoast Showroom April 4 and 5.

The Four Freshmen group tradition began in 1948, established by four students at Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind. Hal Kratzsch, brothers Ross and Don Barbour, and their cousin Bob Flanigan created a brand new vocal sound. Working without written music and choosing notes by ear, they spread their jazz voicing over a wider range than other groups, while imitating the phrasing and aggressive feel of a big band brass section.

When band leader, Stan Kenton heard the group at the Esquire Lounge in Dayton, Ohio, he immediately recognized their potential. At his urging, Capitol Records signed the Four Freshmen in 1950, initiating a string of hits with "It's A Blue World." The sound track of the movie "Lucy Gallant" introduced the hits "How Can I Tell Her" and "Day By Day." The group has continued to evolve with new members over the years.

To date, the Freshmen Four have produced more than 70 singles and albums, won numerous DownBeat and JazzTimes readers' polls, and have been honored with the Satchmo Award for unique and enduring contribution to the living history of jazz.

Bob Flanigan retired from performing in 1992, but he continues as the group's mentor and personal manager. Throughout the group's tenure, there have been 22 different line-ups. The current group consists of Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, Stein Malvey and Bob Ferreira.

Showtime each evening is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $15.95, plus tax and fees, and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming box office by calling 702-284-7777, or by visiting www.suncoastcasino.com.

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