MTSU JAZZ ARTIST SERIES FEATURES SAXOPHONIST MIGUEL ALVARADO
MURFREESBORO – Saxophonist Miguel Alvarado will perform a program with members of MTSU Combo 1 at 7:30 p.m., February 1, in Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music building on the MTSU campus.
This will be the second concert in the MTSU Jazz Artist Series. “The (evening) concert will showcase the dynamic playing of one of Nashville’s best tenor saxophonists,” said Jamey Simmons, Director of Jazz Studies. The program will feature members of the top student/graduate combo in the jazz area: Riley Trauscht, alto saxophone, Zicky Hart, tenor saxophone, Daniel Kuk, piano, Baily Johnstone, bass, and Miles Damaso, drums, and a guest appearance by faculty jazz saxophonist Don Aliquo.
Miguel Alvarado is a native of Tampa, Florida, and embarked on his professional music journey at the age of thirteen, initiating his performance career in the Tampa Bay area with various local RnB, Latin, and Rock groups. He is a graduate of both the University of North Florida and Middle Tennessee State University, where he received two first-place Downbeat Magazine Awards as a graduate student in the Small Group Jazz Composition and Jazz Vocal Arrangement categories.
In 2020, Mr. Alvarado was honored with the Nashville Industry Music Awards Jazz Performance Award, coinciding with the release of his critically acclaimed album "Idile" on Ear Up Records—an international jazz label founded by the world-famous saxophonist and philanthropist Jeff Coffin. Since 2007 he has been dedicated to teaching music in the classroom, and currently teaches in the jazz department at MTSU.
“The exciting thing for us as teachers is to showcase musicians that have a long-term commitment to the music, showing future generations the creative possibilities of both improvisation and composition” says Simmons. The program will feature original compositions and arrangements by Alvarado.
Tickets for the February 1st concert are $10 for the public and free for MTSU students, faculty, and staff. Discounts for area band students and educators are also available. Tickets are available in the lobby of Wright Music building before the concert.
The third concert in the MTSU Jazz Artist Series continues Saturday, March 23rd with the MTSU Illinois Jacquet Jazz Festival – a full day event featuring performances of school ensembles, MTSU groups, jam sessions, educational sessions, and the 5:15 p.m. headline concert featuring dynamic jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman. Dedicated to the memory of tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, the festival seeks to educate, inspire and entertain audiences in the middle Tennessee area. For a complete schedule of concerts and clinics, see https://w1.mtsu.edu/music/jazzfest.php
For further information on this and other concerts in the MTSU School of Music please visit the “Events Calendar” link at mtsumusic.com.” For more information about Alvarado, see https://jazzinfo.org/artist/miguel-alvarado
