Nothin' But The Blues with Byron Stripling

Jazz and Blues Master Byron Stripling to Perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Vancouver BC ’Äì The Orpheum stage comes alive with the Blues on November 21^st & 22^nd at 8pm when the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents trumpet virtuoso/singer and Vancouver favourite, Byron Stripling, in Nothin’Äô But The Blues. With triumphant technique, charismatic charm, and a larger-than-life stage persona, Stripling has won over audiences world-wide. This is one concert sure to please both Jazz/Blues enthusiasts and casual listeners. This concert takes place as part of the London Drugs VSO Pops series.

’ÄúByron Stripling wailed New Orleans-style but also negotiated bebop runs like Kenny Dorham and had the’Ķaudience shouting for joy with his earthy blues singing.’Äù

- Denver Post

’Äú’Ķa towering and powerful trumpet player, who has been compared to a later Louis Armstrong.’Äù

- Los Angeles Times

Byron Stripling has quickly become a favourite of Vancouver audiences, holding them in the palm of his hand with his enthusiasm, sense of tone and timing, and an authenticity rarely found in any but the true Jazz/Blues masters. From his early Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra days to present day, Byron Stripling’Äôs musicianship and timeless appeal keep audiences coming back for more. Check out Mr. Stripling at www.byronstripling.com.

Stripling is joined by dazzling trombonist and longtime collaborator, Wycliffe Gordon, one of the preeminent jazz musicians of our time. Vocalist Dee Daniels is also featured in this concert along with organist Bobby Floyd and drummer Ted Moore.

Jeff Tyzik, the VSO’Äôs Principal Pops Conductor, wields his baton for this celebration of the Blues. Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America’Äôs foremost pops conductors and is in high demand as a guest conductor across North America. Like Byron Stripling and Wycliffe Gordon, Jeff Tyzik is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in New York. After graduating, he spent the next few years working with jazz legend Chuck Mangione and experienced his big break ’Äì the chance to co-compose a trumpet concerto with Allen Vizzutti to be recorded by pops legend Doc Severinsen. A few years later he was hired as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra ’Äì a position he has held for 12 years now. A skillful musician and conductor, Tyzik is known for his commitment to music of all genres and his engaging rapport with diverse audiences.

CONCERT INFO

London Drugs VSO Pops Series

Nothin’Äô But The Blues

Friday & Saturday, November 21^st & 22^nd, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Jeff Tyzik conductor
Byron Stripling trumpet/vocalist
Wycliffe Gordon trombone
Dee Daniels vocalist
Bobby Floyd organ
Ted Moore drums/principal composer

Tickets: $25 to $78.50 (Senior, Student and Subscriber Discounts Available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca

Series Sponsor:

London Drugs

Radio Sponsor:

103.5QM/FM

BIOGRAPHIES

Jeff Tyzik

Jeff Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America's most innovative pops conductors. Described by the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle as ’Äúamong the best pops conductors in America,’Äù Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for over a decade, he also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Vancouver and Oregon Symphony Orchestras.

In twelve years with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), Tyzik has developed an incredible relationship with devoted Rochester audiences, who appreciate his creative pops programming. Over the course of his tenure, he has written over 160 works for the orchestra. A consummate musician, Tyzik is so appreciated in Rochester that the RPO has taken the unusual step of inviting their principal pops conductor to appear as a guest artist in the orchestra’Äôs subscription series calendar on a regular basis, where he has performed works by some of the greatest American composers to critical acclaim, and where he led the premiere of his own Trombone Concerto, which was funded by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. Recently, Tyzik recorded a disc of works by Gershwin with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the RPO on the Harmonia Mundi label, to be released in spring 2007.

’ÄúHis concert is the kind of thing that’Äôs likely to give classical music a good name, perhaps even make it seem, dare I say, relevant,’Äù writes John Pitcher of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (February 3, 2006). ’ÄúWhat’Äôs great about Tyzik is his way of making any concert (classical or pops) seem contemporary and approachable without sugarcoating anything, without dumbing down the musical experience.’Äù

Highly sought after as a guest conductor, Tyzik has appeared with orchestras including the Cincinnati Pops, the New York Pops, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to his commitments in Rochester, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, during the 2006/07 season, he performs with orchestras across North America including Dallas, Detroit, Elgin, Hartford, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Toronto, as well as the Naples Philharmonic and the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa).

A native of Hyde Park, New York, Tyzik began his life in music at nine years old, when he first picked up a cornet. He studied both classical and jazz throughout high school, and went on to earn both his bachelor’Äôs and master’Äôs degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied composition/arranging with Radio City Music Hall’Äôs Ray Wright and jazz studies with the great band leader Chuck Mangione, both of whom profoundly impacted him as a musician.

Tyzik spent the next few years working with Mangione, soaking in every part of the music business. He became a skilled record producer, while continuing to be active as a performer and arranger. These experiences led Tyzik to one of the great early opportunities of his career’Äîthe chance to co-compose a trumpet concerto with friend and virtuoso trumpeter Allen Vizzutti to be recorded by pops legend Doc Severinsen.

After that first recording project, Tyzik worked closely with Severinsen on many projects including orchestrating many of the great band leader’Äôs symphony orchestra programs, and producing a GRAMMY Award-winning album, The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. 1. To this day, he credits Severinsen as his greatest musical and professional inspiration.

As an accomplished composer and arranger, Tyzik has had his compositions recorded by ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Summit Brass, and his arrangements have been recorded by groups including Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the RPO, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and Doc Severinsen with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He has also produced and composed theme music for many of the major television networks, including ABC, NBC, HBO, and Cinemax, and released six of his own albums on Capitol, Polygram and Amherst Records.

Committed to performing music of all genres, Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O'Connor, Doc Severinsen, John Pizzarelli, Billy Taylor, and Lou Rawls, and has created original programs that include the greatest music from jazz and classical to Motown and swing.

Actively sharing his passion for music with others, Tyzik has been recognized for his community service and educational work by Rotary International, the Monroe County Music Educators, and the Rochester Philharmonic League. He is also the recipient of the Arts & Cultural Council of Greater Rochester's 2002 Performing Artist award.

Tyzik currently serves on the Board of Managers of the Eastman School of Music, and as a board member of the Hochstein School of Music and Dance. He lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife Jill.

Byron Stripling

With a contagious smile and captivating charm, trumpet virtuoso, BYRON STRIPLING, has ignited audiences internationally. As soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being featured soloist on the PBS television special, "Evening at Pops," with conductors John Williams and Mr. Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, STRIPLING has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Utah Symphony, and The American Jazz Philharmonic, to name a few. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at jazz festivals throughout the world.

An accomplished actor and singer, STRIPLING was chosen, following a world wide search, to star in the lead role of the Broadway bound musical, "Satchmo." Many will remember his featured cameo performance in the television movie, "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," and his critically acclaimed virtuoso trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the 42nd Street production of "From Second Avenue to Broadway."

Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of The Grammy Awards. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials, TV theme songs including "20/20," CNN, and soundtracks of favorite movies.

STRIPLING earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and The GRP All Star Big Band.

STRIPLING enjoys conducting Seminars and Master Classes at colleges, universities, conservatories, and high schools. His informative talks, combined with his incomparable wit and charm, make him a favorite guest speaker to groups of all ages.

STRIPLING was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. One of his greatest joys is to return, periodically, to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.

A resident of Ohio, STRIPLING lives in the country with his wife, former dancer, writer and poet, Alexis and their beautiful daughters.

Wycliffe Gordon

Wycliffe Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. His trombone playing, hailed as "mixing powerful, intricate runs with sweet notes extended over clean melodies," has been universally hailed by jazz critics. Gordon received the Jazz Journalists Association 2002 and 2001 Award for Trombonist of the Year, the Jazz Journalists Association 2000 Critics’Äô Choice Award for Best Trombone and has been nominated for the Jazzpar Award.

In addition to a thriving solo career, he tours regularly leading the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, headlining at legendary jazz venues throughout the world. Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and The Gully Low Jazz Band, and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at The Kennedy Center" Series. Gordon’Äôs extensive performance experience includes work with many of the most renowned jazz performers of the past and present.

Gordon’Äôs musical prowess has been captured on numerous recordings, including nine solo CDs and three co-leader CDs. His latest solo effort, ’ÄúCone's Coup,’Äù is scheduled for release in May 2006. Gordon is featured on numerous recordings with The Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and numerous others as evidenced in his extensive discography. Wycliffe Gordon is also a gifted composer and arranger. He was commissioned to compose a vibrant new score for the 1925 classic silent film "Body and Soul" (notable as the screen debut of Paul Robeson), which was premiered at the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’Äôs 2000-01 season opening night performance at Avery Fisher Hall. Gordon's "I Saw The Light," a musical tribute to Muhammad Ali, was commissioned and premiered by The Brass Band of Battle Creek in March 2004. Both works are scheduled for release on DVD in summer of 2006.

Gordon’Äôs compositions have been performed by The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, The Brass Band of Battle Creek and numerous other ensembles, and performed in programs throughout the U.S. and abroad including concert halls in New York, Los Angeles, Aspen, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Germany, London, Finland and Switzerland. His compositions are also featured as a part of the PBS series "Marsalis on Music." Recent concert seasons have included premieres of compositions by Mr. Gordon for a variety of ensembles both in the Unites States and internationally. The first in a series of print editions of his big band, small ensemble and choir compositions will be available in fall of 2006.

Gordon’Äôs television appearances have included the Grammy Awards, the PBS special documentary "Swingin’Äô with the Duke," and two Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra ’Äì "Uptown Blues, Ellington at 100" (a collaboration with the New York Philharmonic) and "Big Train." Gordon also appeared in Ken Burns’Äô documentary "Jazz." Other television appearances include "A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert" and "Live from Lincoln Center: The Juilliard School at 100 Years." Gordon is featured in BET's 13-part series "Journey with Jazz at Lincoln Center" and was guest artist and commentator in NPR affiliate WVIA's special program on Tommy Dorsey (along with the late Skitch Henderson, just days before Henderson's death). Gordon also appeared with the Wynton Marsalis Septet in the feature film "Tune In Tomorrow" starring Peter Falk, Keanu Reeves and Barbara Hershey.

Gordon is rapidly becoming one of America’Äôs most persuasive and committed music educators. He currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Studies Program at The Juilliard School, a position he has held since the founding of the program. His work with young musicians and audiences from elementary schools to universities all over the world is extensive, and includes master classes, clinics, workshops, children’Äôs concerts and lectures ’Äî powerful evidence of his unique ability to relate musically to people of all ages. Gordon is currently working on a collection of trombone quartets, trios and duos to be entitled "Trombone Majesty," with expected publication in late 2006. In addition, his first method book "Wycliffe Gordon's Suggested Studies for Trombone," a compilation of the materials, exercises and approaches he uses in his teaching and in his own practice regimen, will be released in January 2007. Gordon teamed with trombonist Joseph Alessi of the New York Philharmonic and students in both of their studios at Juilliard in creating and presenting the master class "Two Sides of the Slide" for Jazz at Lincoln Center. The master class is available in its entirety as part of a streaming video series offered by the Education Department of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Gordon is the youngest member of the U.S. Statesmen of Jazz, and in many tour performances has served and continues to serve as a musical ambassador for the U.S.
State Department.

Born in Waynesboro, Georgia, Gordon was first introduced to music by his late father, Lucius Gordon, a classical pianist and teacher. His interest in the trombone was sparked at age twelve by his elder brother who played the instrument in his junior high school band. Egged on by sibling rivalry, Gordon’Äôs relentless pleading of his parents led to his first trombone. A year later, an aunt bequeathed Gordon her jazz record collection, and so began his passion for jazz music.

Mr. Gordon endorses Edwards trombones and Monette mouthpieces.

Dee Daniels

Dee Daniels offers the jazz aficionado an ultimate treat - jazz served up with full-bodied silky tones that soar to the height and captures the depth of her four-octave range. Her warm presence and performance ability is evident, whether fronting combos in intimate Jazz clubs, big bands, or symphony orchestras in concert halls.

Daniels' style was born in her stepfather's church choir in Oakland, California, honed through the R&B era and brought to full fruition during a five-year stay in Europe from 1982 to 1987. During those years, she had many wonderful opportunities to perform with such 'Legends of Jazz' as Toots Theilemans, Johnny Griffin, Ed Thigpen, and Monty Alexander to name but a few.

Two other personal highlights while in Europe include having had the opportunity of singing the Blues with the late, divine Sarah Vaughan in The Netherlands, and singing Gospel with the late great Joe Williams in Germany.

Dee's international career includes performances in eleven African countries, Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as in North America and many countries throughout Europe. She has cultivated a diverse career that has seen her on the theatre stage in the musical comedy, Wang Dang Doodle, and the starring role in the 2001 Calgary Stampede.

She has also established herself as a jazz vocalist in demand by the classical music world. She performs her Great Ladies of Swing and The Soul of Ray: The Music of Ray Charles POPS programs with symphony orchestras across Canada and the USA.

A respected vocal clinician and mentor, Dee sincerely believes in sharing her knowledge and experience with young singers/musicians. In 2001, she established the Dee Daniels Jazz Vocal Scholarship at the Capilano College in North Vancouver, BC. Also in 2001, she was the recipient of the FANS Award (a North Vancouver, BC Arts Council presentation); was nominated as Vocalist of the Year, and her Love Story CD was nominated for Best Jazz CD of the Year by West Coast Music Awards. In 2002 she was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and a plaque was installed on Vancouver's Walk of Fame.

In 2003 she received the prestigious Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and was inducted into the University of Montana's School of Fine Arts, Hall of Honor. Dee has served on the Advisory Board of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival since 2000

Bobby Floyd

The passion with which Bobby Floyd plays piano, organ and keyboards are the result of his natural ability discovered at the age of two, his love of music, and years of practice. Whether performing jazz or gospel, as a soloist, with a trio or big band, his feel is unique and inspirational leading him to many distinguished appearances around the world.

Bobby has performed extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. Touring events include major jazz festivals, concert halls, and numerous night clubs with Ray Charles, Jeff Tyzik, Chris Howes and Sarah Morrow. The prestige associated with Floyd's international appearances can also be witnessed at home.

In his hometown, Columbus, Ohio, Bobby has been a feature with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, The Columbus Symphony, and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra sharing the stage with Dionne Warwick, Doc Severinson, Artural Sandaval, Faye Robinson and many others. He has also appeared in a variety of performances opening for Spyro Gyra, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Clark and George Duke, as well as accompanying other artists like David "Fathead" Newman, Bobby Watson, Greg Osby and Billy Hart.

Bobby has completed three recordings: Interpretations, Setting the Standards, and Floyd's Finest Gift. His next project, soon to be released, is a live performance recorded in Spain. Other accomplishments include recording and composing on several of Vince Andrews' and Chris Howes' projects. He has also recorded with Gerald Levert ("Groove On") and Faye Robinson ("Remembering Marian Anderson"). Additionally, he is featured on a Rusty Bryant album, Rusty Rides Again, which received five stars in Downbeat magazine. Bobby Floyd currently performs with his band (Derek DiCenzo - Bass/Lead Guitar, Reggie Jackson - Drums). Members of the group add just the right mix of talent and experience to create the elements necessary to produce an appealing sound that goes well beyond live entertainment.

Ted Moore

Since graduating from the famed Eastman School of Music, Ted Moore has pursued a career which has taken him to many parts of the world with many different artists. He is leader and composer for his own Brazilian jazz group, Brasilia, which released its first CD, River Wide, to national critical acclaim. He has performed with Stan Getz, Paul Winter, Marian McPartland, Phil Markowitz, Eric Gale, Jack Wilkins, Gene Bertoncini and Joey DeFrancesco to name a few. On tour, Ted has performed throughout the US and Canada, as well as in Japan, Spain, England and Holland. He also spent two years living in Rio de Janeiro, performing as percussionist with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, and playing with many well-known Brazilian jazz artists. He has played in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Cathedral of St John in New York, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and in Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Currently, Ted is Director of the Jazz Department at UC Berkeley in Berkeley. CA