March, 2003: PRESS RELEASE

The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra proudly announces its fourth concert of the 2002-2003 season with a program entitled Tenor Titans. This concert will feature world-class tenor sax greats Don Menza, a former member of the Buddy Rich band, and Pete Christlieb, a long-time member of Doc Severinsen’s Tonight Show Band.

The concert will be held at the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th Street, Lincoln, on Tuesday, March 25th at 7:30 p.m. Priority seating for season ticket members only starts at 7:00, and general admission seating begins at 7:15 for tickets purchased at the door.

General admission tickets may be purchased at the concert or ordered in advance by contacting the business office at Arts Incorporated (see below). Ticket prices are: $6 for students, $15 for senior citizens, and $18 for adults.

Don Menza entered the 7th Army Jazz Orchestra in 1956. He has earned many accolades, starting with “Best Tenor” and “Best Soloist” at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1961. 1964 to 1968 found Don in Munich where he joined Max Greger’s Television Orchestra and was also leader of the Bavarian Radio Jazz Ensemble, which won top honors at the 1967 Montreaux Jazz Festival. In 1968, he returned to the U.S. to join Buddy Rich’s band and recorded “Live at Caesar’s Palace”. He went on to work the Los Angeles studio scene playing on more television, film and commercial recordings than could be listed here. Highlights included feature solo work in the movies, “Taking of Pelham 1-2-3” and “Play Misty for Me”. He also made a cameo appearance in the Burt Reynolds movie “The Man Who Loved Women”. In 1971, Don played with Henry Mancini on records & films as well as tours of the U.S. and abroad. Don left his mark on many bands, either as a soloist, composer/arranger, or both. His road experience began with Al Belletto, followed by Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich to name a few. His original charts became staples for Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson, in particular “Sambandrea Swing” which pushed Bellson’s “Note Smoking” album to a Grammy nomination. Don’s own album, “Burnin” was also nominated for a Grammy in 1981. For eight years starting in 1995, Don was the leader of the Riveria Hotels’ “Jazz on the Strip” in Las Vegas. He still maintains an active touring schedule of the country’s jazz venues and was featured on Keely Smith’s album entitled “Keely Swings Basie.” Don also has two albums released in February 2003 entitled “Merry Christmas” and “Dream Suite,” which is an album of ballads.

Pete Christlieb’s tenor could be heard on television, records, and motion pictures from the 1970’s to the 1990’s. The son of famous bassoon player Don Christlieb, Pete began his musical journey on the violin at age 7. At 12 he was introduced to the sounds of Jazz through recordings of Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker, Zoot Sims & Al Cohn, LockJaw Davis & Jonny Griffin, John Coltrane & Cannonball Adderly. Not without opposition, the violin was replaced by the tenor sax. At 17, Pete enrolled in the Greyhound School of Music through his association with the bands of Sy Zentner, Woody Herman, Louie Bellson and even a short but delightful stint with Count Basie. Today he can be heard with the Bill Holman orchestra both live and on CD. Electing to follow in his father’s footsteps as working studio musician, Pete has played in the wind section on Star Trek shows and has featured solos on CDs like “Unforgettable” with Natalie Cole. During this long career Pete has maintained a healthy interes in Drag Racing and is the proud owner of two national championships with Blown Alcohol Dragsters. Most recently, Pete was nominated for a 2003 Grammy for his work on Sammy Nestico’s album “This is the Moment.”

Compositions such as “Cherokee”, “Groovin’ Hard”, “Nina Never Knew”, “Time Check”, “Sambiana”, and “Emily” by Don Menza will be performed.

Nebraska Jazz Orchestra strives to provide accessible venues and programs to visitors of all abilities. Please contact the office regarding services available.