Coming to us for the first time through the Sunset Concert on November 21, 2009, Jazz pianist Russell Schmidt holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Eastman School of Music. He formally served as the Artistic Director of the Toledo Jazz Orchestra.
As a jazz performer, Russ has worked with such artists as Carl Allen, Eddie Daniels, Tim Hagans, John Hollenbeck, Mark Murphy, Gerry Mulligan, Dick Oatts, Arturo Sandoval, and Clark Terry. He has recorded with Joe Lovano, Vicki McDermitt, Bob Sneider, the Birch Creek Jazz Band, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and the Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra, among others.
Season of Change, his critically acclaimed debut recording as a leader, was released last year on the Amp Recordings label. [click here for a review if the CD]
In addition to his performances in jazz settings, Schmidt has served as keyboard soloist with more than 30 professional orchestras, including performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and with the San Francisco Symphony.
Active as a jazz educator, he presently directs the Jazz String Quartet Program at the Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He has previously served on the jazz faculties of Bowling Green State University, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Arizona State University, and the Eastman School of Music.
A talented composer and arranger, he has written for artists as wide-ranging as jazz saxophonists Bob Berg and Michael Brecker, the Ying String Quartet, and the chamber music group Rhythm & Brass.
Russ will also rejoin us for the Christmas Eve Jazz Mass, 2009 at 5pm at the Church.
The concert with the Vicki McDermitt trio was a true Sermon in Jazz. The outstanding musicianship and amazing creativity of these three great Musicians was powerful and moving.
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to all the Church Concerts. The Love of Christ shurely lives in this great music.