What
"Celebrating the Life and Music of Pepper Adams," a jazz lecture and concert featuring the music of Pepper Adams (1930-1986), renowned jazz composer and baritone saxophone player. Jazz historian Gary Carner will talk about Adams' life and music. Compositions from Adams' works will be performed by the WPI Stage Band and Jazz Ensemble, including a piece rarely performed. This event is free and open to the public.
Who
Jazz historian and author Gary Carner of Braselton, Georgia, knew Pepper Adams and helped the musician write his memoirs. Carner has previously published a volume on jazz, and has taught jazz history courses at a number of colleges, including at Assumption College in Worcester. He has also served as Jazz Historian with the Jazz Worcester Society.
When
Sunday, Nov. 18.
• 4 p.m. Lecture.
• 7 p.m. Pre-concert talk on the music to be performed.
• 7:30 p.m. Concert begins. That will be followed by a book signing and reception.
Where
Alden Memorial on the WPI campus, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Mass.
Why
Rich Falco, WPI Director of Jazz Studies, who organized the event, said that Carner's lecture and book were the result of 15 years of research. "He's dedicated his life to Pepper Adams," Falco said. "His research is very thorough. This book is a treasure for people who are fans of Pepper Adams and jazz."
More Information
While researching his new book, Pepper Adams' Joy Road: An Annotated Discography, Carner discovered a composition of the late jazz artist that had rarely been performed. An arrangement of the piece written for big band by Osian Roberts, "In Love with Night," will be performed by the WPI Stage Band. The WPI musicians will be joined by three guest artists: Doug Olsen on trumpet, Mark Weissman on baritone saxophone, and vocalist Monica Hatch of the WPI music faculty.
