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Grammy-winning saxophonist Chris Potter to perform with Whitworth Jazz Ensemble Nov. 2

October 16, 2013

World-renowned Grammy-winning saxophonist Chris Potter and the award-winning Whitworth Jazz Ensemble will perform in Whitworth’s 25th annual jazz concert on Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, in downtown Spokane.

General admission is $17, $12 for seniors (62-plus). Tickets are available at the Fox box office, www.martinwoldsontheater.com or by calling 509.624.1200. Tickets can also be purchased at www.ticketswest.com or by calling 800.325.SEAT.

“The chance to hear Chris Potter in Spokane is a very rare opportunity for Whitworth students and people from the greater Spokane area,” says Dan Keberle, Whitworth professor of music and director of jazz studies. “Among international jazz critics and professional jazz musicians throughout the world, he is regarded as one of the top saxophonists alive and performing today – he is truly an unbelievable talent. It will be a thrilling concert for anyone who attends.”

Throughout his career as an acclaimed saxophonist, Potter has proven himself accomplished as a soloist, composer and bandleader. He was the youngest musician ever to win Denmark’s Jazzpar Prize, and he, Pat Matheny, Ben Williams and Antonion Sanchez received a Grammy Award for their album Unity Band. Potter was also featured prominently on Steely Dan’s Grammy-winning 2000 album Two Against Nature. He studied at the New School and Manhattan School of Music, in New York, and he has since released 15 albums in which he was the principal performer and more than 100 albums on which he collaborated with others.

Potter also will host a jazz clinic on Friday, Nov. 1 at 5:15 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall in the Whitworth Music Building. This clinic is free and open to the public. All elementary, middle school and high school students in attendance will receive a free ticket to the Potter’s concert with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble.
Jazz Week at Whitworth kicks off on Wednesday, Oct. 30, with an all-day festival sponsored by the Eastern Washington Music Educators Association for local middle school and high school jazz bands. The festival will take place in Cowles Auditorium.

During the event, middle school and high school bands will perform for a panel composed of three judges chosen from members of jazz faculty from Whitworth University, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, and Washington State University.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Loree Swegle, music department program assistant, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3280 or music@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.