Saint Mary’s Jazz Combo I to perform in Germany

WINONA, Minn. – During their upcoming spring break, a group of Saint Mary’s University students will bring their brand of American jazz to audiences in Germany. Led by Dr. John Paulson, professor and director of Jazz Studies, the 12-piece “little big band” will perform a wide variety of jazz selections at venues in and around the city of Cologne (Köln), Germany from March 5 through March 10.

On Tuesday, March 6, the group will travel to Urfeld, Germany, for an open rehearsal with “Musikfreunde Urfeld.” The Friends of Music in Urfeld is a community-based ensemble of high school musicians. Both ensembles will have the opportunity to perform for each other, and the evening will conclude with all the musicians joining together for a spirited jam session.

On Friday, March 9, the group will spend the day rehearsing with Stefan Güsgen – the 2010 winner of Germany’s National Magic Championships. In the evening, the SMU group will join forces with Güsgen in an event billed as “Jazz Meets Magic” at the 500-seat RheinForum, situated along the banks of the Rhein River in Wesseling, Germany. The event will also serve as a major fundraiser for the Dreifaltigkeits-Krankenhaus (Trinity Hospital). SMU music instructor A. Eric Heukeshoven has written a new arrangement of jazz great Grover Washington’s “Mr. Magic” especially for this gala event.

The group will perform their farewell concert Saturday, March 10, at the Kirchengemeinde Evangelische Kirche (Community Evangelical Church), also in Wesseling.

The public is welcome to attend a free homecoming concert Friday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. in SMU’s Figliulo Recital Hall.

Members of the SMU Germany 2012 Jazz Combo I include:

• Jessica Giers (Winona) – Music Education major, tenor sax
• Katy Kosiek (Schamburg, Ill.) – Music Education major, alto sax
• Markeise Russell (Chicago, Ill.) – Music Education/Saxophone Performance major, alto sax
• Ben Scott (Rochester, Minn.) – Philosophy major, tenor sax
• Dr. John Paulson – Professor, soprano sax
• Tyler Ringeisen (Cannon Falls, Minn.) – Music Education major, trumpet
• A. Eric Heukeshoven - Instructor, trombone
• Hans Heukeshoven (Winona) – Computer Science/Percussion Performance major, vibraphone
• Andy Lubinski (Winona) – Elementary Education major, electric bass
• Camden Webster (Stockton, Minn.) – Music Industry (Technology) major, electric guitar
• Trevor Woggon (Viroqua, Wis.) – Music Education major, piano
  
  For more information, contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at (507) 457-7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.