Vancouver BC ’Äì Allen Vizzutti brought the house down in his last visit to the Orpheum, in what many said was one of the best Pops concerts in years. He makes his eagerly-anticipated return on March 6th and 7th at 8pm with the VSO and Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik. Vizzutti will perform Big Band classics such as Easy Livin', In a Sentimental Mood, Take the 'A' Train and King Porter Stomp ’Äì and a special bonus: the Canadian premiere of his own exciting Concierto Mexicano for Trumpet and Orchestra.
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Jeff Tyzik and Allen Vizzutti have been long-time friends since working together on a trumpet concerto for Doc Severinsen, the leader of the Tonight Show band, during the early 1980's. This initial partnership would lead to a life-long collaboration on projects such as The Carnival of Venus and High Class Brass recordings.¬Ý
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Last year, Yamaha launched Allen Vizzutti's own trumpet model, the YTR 9335VS. His idea was to design a trumpet that "could sing more openly above high 'C', have some classical weight to the sound, project when you lean on it and have a moderate amount of resistance, not to mention good intonation and never miss a note." Vizzutti jokes, "Well, you can't have everything. I got all except the 'never miss a note' part’Ķ"
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Concierto Mexicano for Trumpet and Orchestra is a five-movement work by Allen Vizzutti which premiered this past season with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra. Vizzutti says about the piece: "I desired in Concierto Mexicano, to capture elements of Mexican folk melody and harmony, as well as present a piece with some exciting 'Vizzutti' flair. Mexican culture is as steeped in tradition and richness as any culture on earth. I found, altered and orchestrated three existing pieces and wrote two original ones to complete a set of five." The piece is sure to be a smashing success and the VSO is proud to present its Canadian premiere.
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CONCERT INFO
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London Drugs VSO Pops Series:
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Allen Vizzutti with the VSO
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Friday & Saturday, March 6 & 7, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Allen Vizzutti, trumpet
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Tickets $25 to $78.50 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)
Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at www.vancouversymphony.ca
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Generously Supported By:
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Series Sponsor: London Drugs
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Radio Sponsor: CHQM-FM
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BIOGRAPHIES
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Jeff Tyzik, conductor
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Jeff Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America's most innovative pops conductors. Described by the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle as "among the best pops conductors in America," Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. During the 2008/09 season, Tyzik celebrates his 15th season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Also this season, he begins a new role as Principal Pops Conductor of the Oregon Symphony and continues to serve as Principal Pops Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
In his fifteen years with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), where his contract was recently extended to 2011, 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 conductor in the orchestra's classical subscription series calendar on a regular basis. On his classical series concerts, Tyzik has performed works by some of the greatest American composers to critical acclaim. He also conducted the premiere of his own Trombone Concerto, which was funded by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and subsequently performed at Carnegie Hall. In May 2007, the Harmonia Mundi label released his recording of works by Gershwin with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the RPO which by the summer had reached No. 3 on the Billboard classical chart. Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, called it "one of the snappiest Gershwin discs in years".
"His concert is the kind of thing that's likely to give classical music a good name, perhaps even make it seem, dare I say, relevant," writes John Pitcher of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (February 3, 2006). "What's 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."
Highly sought after as a guest conductor, Tyzik has recently appeared with orchestras such as the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the New York Pops, the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to his commitments in Rochester, Oregon and Vancouver, during the 2008/09 season he continues his annual appearance with the Toronto Symphony and performs with orchestras across North America including Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and New Jersey, as well as The Florida Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, among others.
A native of Hyde Park, New York, Tyzik began his life in music at nine years of age, when he first picked up a cornet. He studied both classical and jazz throughout high school, and went on to earn both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied composition/arranging with Radio City Music Hall's 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 (which included composing and arranging music for the Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman Orchestras). These experiences led Tyzik to one of the great early opportunities of his career; the 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's 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. For more information about Tyzik, please visit www.jefftyzik.com.
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Allen Vizzutti, trumpet
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"Beautiful’Ķlyrical’Ķstunning’Ķstupifying."
"Trumpet player supreme." -- Syracuse Post Standard
"Finely tuned wind, easy control, polyharmonic wit, orchestral penmanship, punctuated spiritual warmth’Ķrarely do so many qualities find themselves in one musician." --Chick Corea
Equally at home in a multitude of musical idioms, Allen Vizzutti has visited 40 countries and every state in the union to perform with a rainbow of artists and ensembles including Chick Corea, 'Doc' Severinsen, the NBC Tonight Show Band, the Airmen Of Note, the Army Blues and Army Symphony Orchestra, Chuck Mangione, Woody Herman, Japan's NHK Orchestra and the New Tokyo Philharmonic, the Budapest Radio Orchestra, , the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Leipzig Wind Symphony and the Kosie Wind Orchestra. Performing as a classical and a jazz artist, often in the same evening, he has appeared as guest soloist with symphony orchestras in Tokyo, Germany, St. Louis, Seattle, Rochester N.Y., Syracuse, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Phoenix, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg to name a few. Music lovers in Germany, Poland, England, Sweden, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Australia and the United States have heard his brilliant sound over the airwaves of national television. Allen's status as an artist has led to solo performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Newport Jazz Festival, Banff Center for the Performing Arts, Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Teton, Vail, Aspen and Brechenridge Music Festivals, the Charles Ives Center and Lincoln Center in New York City.
From his home in Seattle Washington, Allen's current career activities embody an impressive schedule of recitals, concerts, recording and composing. His continued commitment to music education and the value of music in everyday life results in an extensive schedule of guest appearances at universities throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Australia.
Allen's solo jazz recordings include CDs such as "Trumpet Summit" and "Skyrocket" from Summit Records. Classical CDs currently available from DeHaske Music Publishing Recordings are "The Emerald Concerto and Other Gems", with the Budapest Radio Orchestra, "Vizzutti Plays Vizzutti" and "Vizzutti and Soli On Tour". His "High Class Brass", (also DeHaske Recordings), is a wonderfully unique classical and jazz blend co-produced, co-written and performed with fellow trumpet artist, composer and conductor, Jeff Tyzik along with a 90 piece studio orchestra. Also of interest are "Baroque and Beyond", from Sony, "The Carnival of Venus", (Summit Records), and "A Trumpeter's Dream, (Ludwig Music Publishing).
As Artist in Residence, Allen has taught at the Eastman School of Music, the Banff Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas State University, Ohio State University, West Texas State University, the Skidmore Jazz Institute, and the Trompeten Akademie of Bremen Germany. He is currently 'Artist In Residence' at the University of Washington. His extensive treatise, "The Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method" and his "New Concepts for Trumpet", (Alfred Music Publishing), have become standards works for trumpet study world wide. Many more of Allen's jazz and classical books, play along recordings, and student and recital compositions are published by DeHaske/Hal Leonard, Southern Music, and Ars Nova. His writing includes solo pieces for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, tuba, and harp, chamber groups, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and symphony orchestra.
Allen's love of expression through composition has led to premier performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic of London, the Nuremberg Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, London Symphony, the renowned Summit Brass and others. After the world premier of his "Emerald Concerto" with the Syracuse Symphony Allen's writing was described in review: "The Emerald Concerto sparkles!...a vivacious treatment which speaks well for both his dramatic instinct and technical prowess as a composer."
While growing up in Montana, Allen was taught by his father, a self taught musician and trumpet player, until he left home to attend the Eastman School of Music on full scholarship. There he earned the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, a Performer's Certificate, a chair in the Eastman Brass Quintet faculty ensemble, and the only Artist's Diploma ever awarded a wind player in Eastman's 85 year history.
While living in Los Angeles during the 80's, Allen performed on over 100 motion picture sound tracks, (such as Back To The Future and Star Trek), as well as countless TV shows, commercials and recordings with such artists as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Chick Corea, the Commodores and Prince. His soaring sounds can be heard on projects including the movies "40 Days and 40 Nights", "Unfaithfully Yours", Gridiron Gang", "Scary Movie Four", and the "Medal of Honor" and "Halo II" video games.
ALLEN VIZZUTTI IS A YAMAHA PERFORMING ARTIST
