UNCA Music Department Continues Spring Concert Season

UNC Asheville’s Music Department continues the spring concert season in February with offerings of cool jazz, Big Band tunes and a unique recital featuring tuning-fork piano and Baroque lute. All concerts are open to the public.

Under the direction of Tim Haden, the UNCA Jazz Lab Big Band will perform at the Grove Park Inn Jazz Festival at noon Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Grove Park Inn main lobby. Spotlighting original arrangements by Mancini, Ellington and UNCA music faculty members Tim Haden and Tom Coppola, the band will also feature Taken Back Jazz Quartet members Philip Whack on saxophone and Michael Holstein on bass. Admission is free.

Audiences of all ages will be captivated by the tuning-fork piano and Baroque lute recital at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16, in UNCA’s Humanities Lecture Hall. Award-winning recording artist, lute builder and composer David Rhodes brings to the stage more than 40 years of study and performing experience on the Baroque lute. Karen Boyd, former piano instructor at UNCA will present the ethereal sounds of the Dulcitone tuning-fork piano, restored by Rhodes. Included on the program will be a premiere of the Rhodes' composition "Pierrot Solaire" for lute and tuning-fork piano. Works by Corelli, Handel, Bach and Martinu will also be featured. The audience may examine the rare instruments following the performance. General admission is $5 at the door. 

The annual UNCA Jazz Festival will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. This popular event will feature the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, a recent performer at the Montreux Jazz Festival, under the direction of Vance Thompson. The Spartanburg Community Big Band will also perform, highlighting classic Big Band arrangements under the direction of saxophonist Patrick Langham. UNCA’s Jazz Lab Big Band will host the event and perform under the direction of Tim Haden. The group will feature Rich Willey, who formerly held the jazz trumpet chair for the Maynard Ferguson Big Band. General admission is $10 at the door; all students will be admitted free.

For more information, call UNCA’s Music Department at 828/251-6432.

Media Contacts:

• Patrick Hill, UNCA Music Department, 828/251-6432
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526