Evangel jazz students experience historic year
It has been a banner year for music students at Evangel University, especially those with a bent toward jazz.
Last fall, Kim Parker, daughter of jazz legend Charlie Parker, was on campus for a rare lecture and concert.
This spring, the students enjoyed performing with renowned New York saxophonist Dave Peitro, who has toured the world with artists ranging from Ray Charles to Lionel Hampton to Harry Connick, Jr.
One week later, they were treated to a drum and recording clinic by Ryan Hurn, long-time drummer for music legend Andy Williams and current drummer for the Grammy winning vocal group, The Texas Tenors.
"This has been an historic year here at Evangel. Never before have there been so many jazz events on campus," said Joel Griffin, director of jazz studies. "For me, it has been especially rewarding to have my students work with my close friend, Ryan Hurn."
In addition to the drum clinic, Hurn performed with Kim Parker at Evangel last fall.
"Ryan and I worked on our undergrad degrees together and did some of our first professional gigs together," said Griffin, who is himself an accomplished saxophonist.
It is that long-term friendship that led Hurn to recently donate more than 80 books and periodicals to the music library at Evangel.
"The publications range from a book of transcriptions of Charlie Parker's improvised solos, to 40-year-old copies of Modern Drummer," said Griffin.
From an academic perspective, "The periodicals will benefit students with peer-reviewed articles by top professional drummers on techniques, methods and equipment," said Griffin. The donation also included percussion literature for the timpani and marimba.
Griffin has been teaching at the college level for 11 years and is in his third year as director of jazz studies at Evangel University.
So, what's next for the jazz students at Evangel? How about a 10-day tour of Vietnam in May.
According to Griffin, 18 students are currently preparing for a series of public performances in Vietnam. The May trip will be the first overseas tour by the Evangel University Jazz Orchestra.
Written by Paul K. Logsdon, director of public relations for Evangel