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2008 Jazz Concert on the Green Features Frost Music School Dean Shelly Berg

February 08, 2008

2008 Jazz Concert on the Green Features Frost Music School Dean Shelly Berg
Free Event Includes Special Guest Artist Trumpeter Randy Brecker Performing with UM Music Students
Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 3 p.m.

CORAL GABLES, FL (February 08, 2008) -- The University of Miami Office of Community Relations continues its free biannual Jazz on the Green community concert.  The public is invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic lunches and enjoy a lazy, family friendly afternoon listening to music by the shore of Lake Osceola, in the heart of the University’s Coral Gables campus at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 24.

The event is part of a series of free jazz concerts offered each year on the UM campus and made possible by a generous donation from Peggy Hollander, a member of UM’s Citizen’s Board, and managing partner of The Succession Group, a wealth transfer and business succession planning firm that serves an exclusive roster of high net-worth individuals, families, and affluent business owners.

Dean of the Frost School of Music and a jazz pianist in his own right, Shelly Berg will perform with the University of Miami’s Concert Jazz Band featuring multiple Grammy winner Randy Brecker. 

Berg has been recognized as one of the finest contemporary pianists of the 21st century and has garnered numerous awards and nominations as a performer and educator. He is renowned for his collaborations with jazz vocalists, and has performed, recorded, and arranged for the likes of Patti Austin, Monica Mancini, Bobby McFerrin, and Dionne Warwick.  Berg has recently returned from a stint at the world famous Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel where he joined forces with multiple Grammy nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton.

A highly sought after performer, Randy Brecker began his foray into jazz-rock as an original member of Blood, Sweat and Tears, playing on the band’s 1968 debut.  He and his brother Michael formed The Brecker Brothers, and earned seven Grammy Award nominations between 1975 and 1981, winning the award for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance in 1994.  He also won a Grammy in 2003 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his solo album titled 34th N Lex. Randy has worked with many distinguished and diverse artists throughout his career including Charles Mingus, Parliament, Lou Reed, David Sanborn, Bruce Springsteen and Frank Zappa.

The Grammy nominated Concert Jazz Band, comprised entirely of Frost School of Music students, is currently under the direction of Dante Luciani. This ensemble has received numerous awards, recorded several CDs and toured around the world.

The event is part of a concert series is held on the green space behind Gusman Concert Hall and is free and open to the public.  Furry friends on leashes are welcome. For more information call 305-284-5500 or e-mail umneighbors@miami.edu

To learn more about the Frost School of Music and upcoming performances, please visit www.music.miami.edu. For more about Randy Brecker visit his website at randybrecker.com.

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The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world.

Contact:
Vivian Miller
305-284-4094
vmiller@miami.edu