Willie Thomas, jazz legend, brings other masters to Orcas, Sunday, Sept. 2
Sunday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center
Renowned Jazz trumpet master, Willie Thomas and an all-star line up will deliver up some world class Jazz music in his “Tribute To The Masters” concert this labor day weekend at Orcas Center; Sunday, Sept 2nd at 7:30pm.
According to Grammy nominated composer Steve Wiest, “Willie Thomas is an international treasure and simply one of the all-time best modern jazz trumpet players.” His professional career spans forty-five years of performing with such jazz greats as the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Al Belletto Sextet, the Slide Hampton Octet with Freddie Hubbard and George Coleman, the MJT+3 with Frank Strozier and Bob Cranshaw, singer Peggy Lee and many more. He is affectionately known as “Uncle Willie” to many of his colleagues and fans.
In addition to his international performances, residencies, educational clinics and jazz research, Willie Thomas was active with the International Association of Jazz Educators and was inducted into it’s Hall of Fame in 1994. His “Jazz Anyone” classroom series, published by Alfred Music, is still used in schools throughout the country. His newly launched interactive “Jazz Everyone” web site features his award winning theories and lessons that serve professional Jazz musicians as well as the beginner, world-wide.
This Labor day weekend concert is a chance for Thomas to share this rich history and legacy while paying tribute to some of the greatest jazz music and musicians of all time. 80 year old jazz legend Willie Thomas knows what he is talking about because he lived it!
Joining him on the stage are; 2007/2010 NW vocalist of the Year, GAIL PETTIS. JAY THOMAS master multi-instrumentalist was inducted into Seattle’s Jazz Hall of Fame. Pianist JOHN HANSEN is one of the most in-demand jazz pianists in the NW. On the bass is award winning JON HAMAR and Orcas’ very own masterful drummer, Tony Morales. Special guest artists are Martin Lund, Steve Alboucq and Willie’s young jazz violinists, “TAKE 3”: Christian Bailey, Paris Wilson and Matthew Laslo-White.
Ticket are available at Darvills’ Bookstore and online at brownpapertickets.com. All net proceeds will benefit The Funhouse Commons.
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