Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: News

Josh Marcus, the lead alto saxophonist of Eastern's Big Band and a junior jazz studies major, will be performing with both the big band and with a top small group Friday and Saturday. (Bryce Peake/The Daily Eastern News)

• What: EIU Jazz Festival concert


• When: Today 7:30 p.m.


• Where: Grand Ballroom of the MLK Jr. Union


• Ticket prices: $5 for general admission, $3 for students and seniors.

Drummer Gregg Field has backed artists such as Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Liza Minnelli and Adam Sandler.

Today, his drumbeat will keep the rhythm for the EIU jazz ensemble as part of the 49th Annual EIU Jazz Festival at 7:30 p.m. in the MLK Jr. Union Grand Ballroom.

Paul Johnston, assistant professor of jazz studies, can also be listed among the names of those who have played with Field.

Johnston played piano with Field on a 60-city tour for singer Monica Mancini, Field's wife.

"It was a very memorable experience," Johnston said, chuckling.

He said spending an extensive period of time with people brings their unique personalities come to the forefront.

Johnston said it was 60 days of good music and good folks, and he was able to see different parts of the country.

Johnston described Field's playing as "a natural musical feel."

"He's a very easy drummer to play with," he said.

Johnston said Sam Fagaly, director of jazz studies and coordinator of the jazz festival, wanted to bring a drummer to the festival because one had not visited recently.

Johnston suggested Field because he knew of him - and his talent.

"I think our students and our audience will really enjoy his playing," he said.

Field has also played on 22 Grammy-nominated recordings, four of those which won the Grammy.

"He's quite a figure in the jazz world," Fagaly said.

To perform with a professional is a great experience for the students in the jazz ensemble, he added.

Students will be able to hear insight from Field's experiences throughout the years. Fagaly said he most enjoys the satisfaction of hearing the students rise to their potential and perform.

A professional demand is placed on the students performing in the jazz festival.

Justin DeAngelo, jazz studies and composition graduate student, plays piano for the ensemble. He said having a professional play with the group add to the enjoyment and "takes everything up a notch."

DeAngelo said students must perform at the peak level. He said students want to perform their best to "do the school justice."

DeAngelo has performed with other professional artists with the jazz ensemble and said the artist sometimes tells jokes. The glimpse of humor not only gives a look into the professional music world, but also makes students laugh.

He said performing with professionals makes students focus.

"I think the thing it does the most is keep you on your toes," he said.

He likens it to playing baseball and playing with a star athlete who comes on the field.

"You try and do your best and live up to their expectations," DeAngelo said.

Tonight's performance kicks off the jazz festival, but Saturday features the "big event."

Junior high and high school students from across the state come to Eastern to compete and learn.

Fagaly said 42 groups are coming to campus - about 800 students, plus their parents, teachers or chaperones. These students have the opportunity to compete in front of nine judges. Judges include jazz teachers from Western, University of Illinois and Indiana University.



Emily Zulz can be reached at 581-7942 or at eazulz@eiu.edu.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools

The Daily Eastern News encourages on-topic, civil discussion on its articles posted online. It is our policy not to screen comments before they are posted or edit them after they are posted. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are off-topic, malicious, libelous or include excessive foul language. The DEN also reserves the right to turn off all comments on any story it deems necessary.

Comments violating copyright law will also be removed.

Users who repeatedly violate this policy will be banned from commenting.

If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.