Summer Sessions Concerts Start Sunday Todd Wright, Rick Simerly & Guests Perform Jazz Show The first of five Sunday evening concerts sponsored by the Office of Summer Sessions will be the annual Jazz Concert this Sunday, June 6th at 8:00 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall on the ASU campus. Todd Wright Featured performers will be saxophonist Todd Wright and trombonist Rick Simerly in their Jazz Quintet. Todd is the well known Ambassador of Jazz for western North Carolina and a member of the ASU music faculty where he has been Director of Jazz Studies since 1990. He has been recognized as one of the finest jazz performers in the Southeast and was a winner of Downbeat Magazine’s Gold Award at Music Fest (Chicago, 1987). Wright has performed with jazz greats Clark Terry, Louis Belson, and Herb Ellis, and shared the stage with entertainers such as Joe Williams, Rita Moreno, and The Fifth Dimension. Since 1995 he has released three CDs of his performances, one of which is a Christmas album. Rick Simerly is an associate Professor of Music at Milligan College in Tennessee and has been described by jazz leader David Baker as “…one of the most exciting and consistently creative trombonists in jazz today.” The Online Trombone Journal states “Rick Simerly is in the upper ranks of contemporary trombonists.” Rick has played in the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Les Elgart, and Buddy Murrow, and he has toured with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. He has performed on stage with headliners such as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Lou Rawls, and The Temptations. His two CDs have received rave reviews from critics and performers throughout the United States. His appearance with Todd Wright and their dynamic rhythm section promises to fill the evening with a delightful and swinging performance of jazz standards and special selections that showcase their many talents. Also making a briefer appearance on the concert stage will be the Watauga High Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Bill Winkler as they close out their school year by playing several swinging standards. The big band section sounds will fill the hall with familiar chords and harmonies that are unique to this style. And the big band will be part of a grand finale that brings both groups together to close out the evening. The Jazz Concert promises to be a great kickoff to the summer series of Sunday performances in Rosen Concert Hall. Others will feature Jon Beebe, bassoon, and Christina Hayes, piano on June 13th, the High Country Jubilee Chorus on June 20th , the Rodney Reynerson - Bair Shagdaron piano duo on June 27th , and the ASU Brass Faculty concert on August 1st. Admission for the Jazz Concert and the other Sunday performances is $10 at the door for non-students, and free admission for students. Jubilee Chorus concert tickets may be purchased in advance for $8 at the Rydell Music Center in the Boone Mall.