MUSIC BOX
Alan Durst, saxophone
Melinda Coffey Armstead, piano & organ
Chapel Concertino
Suite for Alto Saxophone & Piano. . . Dan Higgins (b. 1955)
I A Lively Spirit
II Somber and Smokey
III Travelin’ Home
Interlude
Remembering the Rain . . . Bill Evans (1929-1980)
Offertory
Consolation . . . Dave Morgan (b. 1933)
Postlude
Suite Hellenique. . . Pedro Iturralde (b. 1929)
A warm welcome back to Dr. Alan Durst, our soloist in honor of the Monterey Jazz Festival happening Sept. 27-29. Alan is an instructor and the chairman of the music department of MPC. He enjoys a musical career that explores a wide range of musical styles as both an educator and performer. He has appeared throughout the United States, Asia and Europe with ensembles such as New West Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony and Monterey Symphony. As a jazz saxophonist, he has performed with an array of artists including the Benny Goodman Orchestra, Johnny Mathis, James Tormé and as a woodwind performer on numerous musicals and television/radio broadcasts. He is a Conn-Selmer Performing Artist, published with Dorn Needham Publications, and his solo recording is available from Centaur Records.
He wrote: “This program is a nice jazz infused set. Dan Higgins is a studio saxophonist in LA (you have heard him if you have ever seen a movie with score by John Williams. He is the soloist on Catch Me if You Can) – this piece is unpublished and hard to get. Three movements feature the saxophone and piano in concert setting but notated jazz vibe with a Hollywood flare.
Consolation is a lyrical light work. Dave Morgan is a jazz bassist in Cleveland but also has a number of his works performed by professional symphonies/chamber music festivals.
Suite Hellenique is a Da Capo type of work broken into 4 movements but segue. Nice melodies, written jazz nuance and asymmetric meter.”
This sparkling postlude takes 6 minutes.
Please give him your warmest welcome!
