Two-time Grammy award winning jazz trumpeter, Scotty Barnhart will finish off the two-week long “Origins ’09: Celebrating the Birth & Life of Beginnings” series with a two-hour concert and lecture on jazz music March 28.
According to brassdeal.com, “If you’ve ever heard Scotty Barnhart play the trumpet, let’s just say you would understand quickly why he is widely considered one of the hardest working and most talented musicians around.”
The event, “The Origin & Evolution of Jazz: A Tribute to American’s Own Musical Art Form,” begins at 8 p.m. and will be held in Lee Hall Auditorium.
Proceeds for the events will go to the jazz studies programs at Florida State University, where Barnhart is an assistant professor of jazz studies, and to his alma mater, Florida A&M University.
While a student at FAMU, Barnhart played trumpet in the world renowned “Marching 100,” and was also an active member of Kappa Kappa Psi music fraternity.
The composer, arranger, educator, and author accomplished a great deal since his days on “the hill.”
“Scotty is an outstanding musician…we both came up in the class of ’82,” said Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, associate professor and associate director of bands at FAMU.
Chipman said Barnhart has taken the musicianship basics he learned at FAMU and expanded them both nationally and internationally.
Barnhart is currently in his 15th year as a featured soloist for the Count Basie Orchestra.
He has also performed and recorded with Frank Sinatra, Wynton Marsalis, Cab Calloway, Marcus Roberts, Ray Charles, and many others. He has traveled worldwide educating varied audiences on the art of jazz and the history of jazz trumpet.
In December 2005, he released his first book, The World of Jazz Trumpet: A Comprehensive History and Practical Philosophy, which explores the political, social, and musical conditions that lead to the exploration of jazz music in the United States.
Rodney Jordan, a fellow FSU colleague and jazz bassist, said Barnhart is a fantastic individual.
“He is devoted to raising awareness of the history of this American art called jazz and he, through his great playing and writing, continues to propel this music into the future,” he said.
The series on Saturday not only features Barnhart, but also other highly acclaimed artists including local talents Pam Laws, Leon Anderson, Bill Peterson, Bill Kennedy, Lindsey Sergeant, and Rick Collar.
The group will explore over 100 years of jazz history in both word and performance.
A 16-piece orchestra made up of Florida State and FAMU students will accompany the ensemble.
Barnhart’s special guest will be gospel singer and former Count Basie vocalist, Chris Murrell.
“Like there are connoisseurs of fine wine, Scotty is a connoisseur of jazz,” adds Dr. Chipman.
FAMU and TCC students; $12 for the general public
For tickets to the event, visit the FSU Fine Arts Complex at 502 S. Copeland St., call 850.644.6500 or order online at tickets@fsu.edu.