Birch Creek Holds Jazz Concert

Mark Urness

Birch Creek invites all to a wonderful evening of music during “Matters of the Heart” jazz concert featuring Birch Creek faculty members Reggie Thomas (vocal/piano in Nat King Cole style) and Rick Haydon (guitar) with special guest Mark Urness (bass).

Reggie Thomas

Thomas is Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University. Reggie is a longtime

consultant/clinician for Jazz at Lincoln Center working with the Essentially Ellington Program and Band Director Academy and presents workshops for the Weill Music Institute for Carnegie Hall. He is a current member of The Count Basie Orchestra and a rhythm section accompanist for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competitions. Thomas has a rich history performing for more than 20 years with the Birch Creek Jazz Orchestra.

Haydon is Professor Emeritus of Music at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and he directs the Jazz Guitar Ensemble. In his more than 30-year career at SIUE, he played a key role in the development and evolution of the jazz program as well as the university’s recording studio. He has served on the summer faculties of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Band Director Academy and the Birch Creek Music Center.

Rick Haydon

Urness, Associate Professor of Music at Lawrence University, is a versatile bassist, composer and educator. His diverse performance experience encompasses orchestral, chamber, solo and jazz playing. He was awarded First Prize in the International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served, along with a cash bar. The concert is set for Feb. 11, 7:30-9:30 pm, at Juniper Hall. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at birchcreek.org/tickets or by calling 920.868.3763. Seating is limited; register early. For more information visit birchcreek.org.