Nebraska Jazz Orchestra announces LA Legend Concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, OCTOBER 2008 NEBRASKA JAZZ ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES “L.A. LEGEND” CONCERT Contact: Nebraska Jazz Orchestra 402-477-8446, njo@artsincorporated.org Lincoln, NE — The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra proudly announces the kick-off concert of its 2008-2009 season. “LA Legend” will feature the incomparable trombonist Bill Watrous as guest artist with the 17-piece Nebraska Jazz Orchestra and will include some of the legendary trombonist’s classics such as “Who Can I Turn To,” “Mama Llama Samba” and “Space Available.” This concert is sponsored in part by Farmers Mutual and Nebraska Diamond. The concert will be held Friday, November 7, 2008, at the Cornhusker Marriott, 333 South 13th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska at 7:30 p.m. Priority seating for season ticket holders and Jazz Club members is at 7:00 p.m., with general admission seating beginning at 7:15 p.m. Single admission tickets are $20 for Adults and $10 for Students and may be purchased by contacting the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra business office at (402) 477-8446 or njo@artsincorporated.org. Season tickets are also available for purchase. A pre-concert dinner will be held at the Cornhusker Marriott for a cost of $22 per person. Join music director, Ed Love, and special guest, Bill Watrous, where you will be treated to discussion about the musical highlights of the evening’s concert. For dinner reservations please contact the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra business office. One of the finest bop-oriented trombonists of the past 30 years, Bill Watrous has had a low profile since moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s despite remaining quite active. Possessor of a beautiful tone and remarkable technique, Watrous has been constantly overlooked in jazz popularity polls of the past two decades. His father was a trombonist and introduced Bill to music. He played in traditional jazz bands as a teenager and studied with Herbie Nichols while in the military. Watrous made his debut with Billy Butterfield, and was one of the trombonists in Kai Winding's groups during 1962-1967. He was a busy New York-based studio musician during the 1960s, working and recording with Quincy Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Johnny Richards, and Woody Herman; playing in the television band for Merv Griffin's show (1965-1968); and working on the staff of CBS (1967-1969). After playing with the jazz-rock group Ten Wheel Drive in 1971, Watrous led his own big band (the Manhattan Wildlife Refuge) during 1973-1977, recording two superb albums for Columbia. After moving to Los Angeles in the late '70s, Watrous continued working in the studios, appearing at jazz parties, playing in local clubs, and leading an occasional big band. He has recorded as a leader for Columbia, Famous Door, Soundwings, GNP Crescendo, and with his late-'90s big band for Double-Time. — Scott Yanow The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra strives to provide accessible venues and programs to visitors of all abilities. Please contact the business office at (402) 477-8446 regarding services available.

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