SUNY Plattsburgh Music Department to Present 34th Annual Jazz Festival

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Jazz trombonist Curtis Fowlkes

PLATTSBURGH, NY (04/14/2010)(readMedia)-- The SUNY Plattsburgh Department of Music presents the 34th annual Jazz Festival directed by Dr. Rick Davies with special guest, jazz trombonist Curtis Fowlkes, who is a performer, band leader and recording artist. Also appearing will be Rick Davies and Salsa Norteña, Papo Ross (vocals), Herm Matlock (trumpet), and the SUNY Plattsburgh Jazz Band and Mambo Combo. All events are open to the public.

On Thursday, April 29, The SUNY Plattsburgh Mambo Combo, directed by Davies will appear with Fowlkes at Irises Café in Plattsburgh from 8. to 11 p.m. The group will play soca/calypso, salsa, funk, and jazz music. Admission is free.

On Friday, April 30, the Festival Jazz Concert will feature Fowlkes with the college Jazz Ensemble, directed by Matlock, and the Mambo Combo, directed by Davies. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. in E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Angell College Center information desk and at the door. Prices are $8 general admission; $5 seniors, students and SUNY Plattsburgh faculty and staff; and $2 for SUNY Plattsburgh students. Fowlkes will give a free workshop prior to the concert from 2 to 3 p.m. in E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium.

The Jazz Festival will conclude with a Latin/Caribbean Dance Party with Davies and Salsa Norteña from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, during opening weekend at the Naked Turtle in Plattsburgh. Also appearing will be Fowlkes, Ross, Matlock, and the Mambo Combo. Latin dance instructor, E. Victoria Moore from SalsaLina Dance Studio, in Burlington, Vt., will lead the dancing beginning with a workshop starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at the Angell College Center information desk and at the door for $5 general and $2 SUNY Plattsburgh students.

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Curtis Fowlkes is an American jazz trombonist. In 1987 with saxophonist Roy Nathanson, he co-founded The Jazz Passengers, an eclectic group dedicated to putting entertainment and humor back into jazz. The two had met performing in John Lurie's The Lounge Lizards.

Fowlkes has performed with Charlie Haden's reunited Liberation Music Orchestra and with the alumni Duke Ellington Orchestra led by Louie Bellson. He has also performed or recorded with Bill Frisell's quartet, as well as with Elvis Costello, Charley Hunter, John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Henry Threadgill, Sheryl Crow, Andy Summers, Cibo Matto, Jeb Loy Nichols, Debbie Harry, Wyclef Jean, and comedian Harry Shearer.

Performing as a sideman on scores of jazz and rock CDs, Fowlkes has recorded with the Charlie Charlie Hunter Quintet in 2003 on the album "Right Now Move." He recorded "Coffaro's Theme" with jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, for the 2000 movie "Finding Forrester." With his six-piece band, Catfish Corner, Fowlkes released his first album as leader, titled "Reflect" in 1999. In addition to performing with the Kansas City All-Stars, Fowlkes appeared as an actor in Robert Altman's 1996 film "Kansas City" with this group.