Syracuse University Jazz Ensemble to perform 50s style jazz on Feb. 18 in the Setnor Auditorium

Syracuse University Jazz Ensemble to perform 50s style jazz on Feb. 18 in the Setnor AuditoriumFebruary 14, 2003Judy Holmesjlholmes@syr.edu

Editor’s note: Free parking is available in the Irving Garage. Special needs parking is also available by calling 443-2191.

The Syracuse University Jazz Ensemble will present a ’50s-style jazz concert on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. in the Rose and Jules R. Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College. The event will celebrate the group’s new name, the Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble, and a generous gift to the jazz program by Schiff’s widow, Ellen. Both are SU alumni. The concert, which is part of the Setnor Tuesday Concert Series, is free and open to the public.

A resident of New York City, Ellen Schiff ’53, G’55, holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of Arts and Sciences and a master’s degree from the School of Education. Her husband was also a member of the Class of 1953. The couple’s passion for jazz has inspired their long-standing support of SU’s jazz program in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music, College of Visual and Performing Arts. Ellen Schiff recently presented the University with a generous contribution in memory of her late husband to provide long-term support for the program.

“Ellen Schiff’s generous gift will enable the Setnor School of Music to provide students with an outstanding jazz experience for years to come,” says Joseph Riposo, who co-directs the jazz ensemble with John Coggiola. “In her honor, we will perform music that jazz lovers from the 1950s will immediately recognize, such as the music of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Frank Foster and Bobby Timmons.”

Student soloists will be Tom Bankert on alto saxophone, Brendan Van Epps and Andrew Steier on tenor saxophone; Robert Lyons, Richard Prugh, Erin Young and Carl Schoenberger on trumpet; and Justin Clark on trombone. The rhythm section will feature drummer Brad Pulverenti. Debuting with the ensemble are two outstanding high school students-bassist Ian Steward from Solvay High School and pianist Liz Lyons from West Genesee High School.

The Setnor Tuesday Concert Series is presented by the Setnor School of Music and features performances by guest artists, Setnor School of Music faculty or large student ensembles at 8 p.m. every Tuesday in the Setnor Auditorium throughout the fall and spring semesters.