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9-15-1996

Concert: Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra & Lew Tabackin Concert: Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra & Lew Tabackin

Toshiko Akiyoshi

Lew Tabackin

Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra

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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Akiyoshi, Toshiko; Tabackin, Lew; and Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, "Concert: Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra & Lew Tabackin" (1996). All Concert & Recital Programs. 7545. https://digitalcommons.ithaca.edu/music_programs/7545

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ITHACA COLLEGE CONCERTS 1996-97

TOSHIKO AKIYOSHI JAZZ ORCHESTRA FEATURING LEW TABACKIN

TOSHIKO AKIYOSHI, conductor, composer, arranger LEW TABACKIN, tenor saxophone and flute

• section leader

13aru2 Toshiko Akiyoshi

1.tm Doug Weiss*

Drums Terry Clarke ~

Dave Pietro* Lew Tabackin Jim Snidero

Walt Weiskopf Scott Robinson

Trumpet Mike Ponella*

John Eckert Scott Wendhodt

Joe Magnelli Trombone

Scott Whitfield* Steve Amour Luis Bonilla

Tim Newman Percussion Valtinho

Road Manager George Whitington

Ford Hall Auditorium Sunday, September 15, 1996

8:15 p.m.

Management: The Berkeley Agency, 2608 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710

TOSHIKO AKIYOSHI

Toshiko Akiyoshi was born in Manchuria, China, and was considering a career in medicine when her family returned to live in Japan. She already had some training as a classical pianist, when she got a job playing in a dance hall in Beppu. Her family wasn't thrilled with the idea, but they finally agreed that she could play until the school year began. "But March came and went," she remembers, "and no one noticed. I just kept playing." The music she was playing wasn't really jazz, but eventually she met a fellow who introduced her to the real thing via his collection of 78 rpm jazz records; this was the beginning of a new passion for Toshiko.

She soon grew restless and moved on to Tokyo, where there was an active jazz scene. One thing led to another, and she started her own group in 1952. During that time many jazz giants were touring Japan, and when they'd stop by the club, they'd all play together. It was through these musicians that she learned about the Berklee School of Music in Boston. In 1953 she was spotted by Oscar Peterson who stated that she was "the greatest female jazz pianist" he'd ever heard. Later on she was accepted at Berklee, and traveled to the United States for the first time.

In 1973, with the help of Lew Tabackin (to whom she was now married), ; Toshiko started up what she then thought of as a "rehearsal band," the band

which ultimately became the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. This orchestra has since gone on to garner nine Grammy nominations (Toshiko was also nominated three times as Arranger), and has earned top place numerous times in Down Beat and other major jazz polls in the United States and abroad. Toshiko placed first in the Arranger category and her band was also voted number one in the Big Jazz Band category in the 1978 Down Beat Reader' s Poll, making her the first woman in jazz history to have been so honored. Her current New York-based orchestra made its Carnegie Hall debut in 1983, as part of the Kool Jazz Festival.

The Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra' s first album, Kogun, is recognized as one of the best-selling big band jazz albums ever. Since then, eleven albums have been issued on RCA, JAM, and Toshiko's own label, Ascent; these include Tales of a Courtesan, Wishing Peace, Farewell to Mingus, European Memoirs, and Insights. Her work has received two silver and two gold awards from the prestigious Swing Journal of Japan.

Toshiko Akiyoshi's contribution is recognized as unique in jazz. Her work as pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor stands among the most highly respected in the history of jazz. Her big band compositions are considered standard textbook study among college jazz students at music schools across the country.

CONCERT CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

16 8:15 18 8:15 19 8:15 21 8:15

24 8:15 26 8:15 29 4:00

Faculty Recital, Wendy Herbener Mehne, flute Faculty Recital, Chamber Music Faculty Recital, Operatic Highlights Chamber Orchestra; Grant Cooper, conductor Choir; Lawrence Doebler, conductor Wind Ensemble; Rodney Winther, conductor

Guest Lecture/Demonstration, Glennis Stout, flute Chamber Orchestra; Grant Cooper, conductor Faculty Recital, Diane Birr, piano

OCTOBER

1 8:15

2 8:15 3 8:15 7 8:15 8 8:15 9 8:15 10 8:15

11 8:15

13 4:00t 8:15

14 8:15t

15 8:15t

Rachel S. Thaler Concert Pianist Series Gilbert Kalish, piano

Symphony Orchestra; Grant Cooper, conductor Wind Ensemble; Rodney Winther, conductor Faculty Recital, Randie Blooding, baritone Faculty Recital, Deborah Montgomery, soprano Alumni Recital, Donald Davis '91, baritone Percussion Ensemble; Gordon Stout and Robert Bridge, conductors

Faculty Chamber Music Recital Ariadne String Quartet

Faculty Recital, Steven Mauk, saxophone Faculty Recital, Elizabeth Simkin, violoncello Faculty Chamber Ensemble; Rodney Winther, conductor Percussion Ensemble; Robert Bridge and Gordon Stout, conductors Chamber Orchestra; Grant Cooper, conductor

In addition to the concerts listed above, music students give solo and chamber recitals, which are free and open to the public. We appreciate your continued interest in, and support for, our programming.

ITHACA COLLEGE CONCERTS 1996-97*

September 15

January 31 April 22

Toshiko Akiyoski Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin

Hesperus and The Western Wind Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra

t New Music Festival, "Voices Of Our Time" * admission charge