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News Release

Contact: Mark McGowan, Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-9472

December 21, 2005

Legendary NIU Jazz Ensemble to perform
at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase for CD release party

DeKalb — The world renowned Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble will perform two shows Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago.

Admission to the 7 and 9 p.m. concerts at the Jazz Showcase, 59 W. Grand Ave., is $10 for students and $15 for the public. NIU School of Music faculty – Steve Duke, saxophone; Rodrigo Villanueva, drums; Art Davis, trumpet; Fareed Haque, guitar; Tom Garling, trombone; and Willie Pickens, piano – join the band. For more information, call (312) 670-2473.

NIU Jazz Ensemble members also will celebrate the release of their new CD, funded by university retiree and friend Sally Stevens.

Titled “Swinging Every Which Way But Loose,” the nine-song disc features live performances from the 2002 and 2003 ensembles. It also includes original compositions by ensemble members Alex Austin and Wesley Jackson alongside tunes by Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington and Frank Foster.

The Chicago gigs come the night before the student musicians leave for New York City, where they will perform with trumpeter Eddie Henderson and bassist Rodney Whitaker at the annual conference of the International Association of Jazz Educators.

Visit http://www.niu.edu/music/current/ensembles/jazzens/index.shtml for more information on the NIU Jazz Ensemble.

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