The UNLV department of music's jazz studies program presents the 2014 Spring Invitational Jazz Festival -- featuring guest jazz saxophonist Ed Calle -- at 7:30 p.m., April 28-30 in the UNLV Black Box Theater.
General admission tickets for each evening are $10; $8 for seniors, military, and UNLV faculty and staff; and students receive 1 free ticket with valid ID. Tickets may be purchased at or by calling 895-ARTS (2787).
Performance Schedule
Monday, April 28 -- UNLV Jazz Guitar Ensemble, directed by Jarret Myers and the UNLV Jazz Ensemble III, conducted by Paul Olesuk
Tuesday, April 29 -- UNLV Jazz Ensemble II, conducted by Nathan Tanouye and Dave Loeb and the UNLV Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Uli Geissendoerfer with guest jazz saxophonist Ed Calle
Wednesday, April 30 -- UNLV Jazz Ensemble I, conducted by Nathan Tanouye and Dave Loeb and the UNLV Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, directed by Nathan Tanouye with guest jazz saxophonist Ed Calle
Guest Artist Ed Calle
Saxophonist Ed Calle is known for his extraordinary ability to play Latin and contemporary jazz and pop. Born in Caracas of Spanish parents, it was obvious from the start that he was a natural player and now, Calle can be heard on hundreds of recordings both as a sideman and soloist. He appears on Grammy award-winning albums by Frank Sinatra, Vicky Carr, Arturo Sandoval, and Jon Secada, as well as on numerous television and motion picture soundtracks. He also has recorded and performed around the world with such artists as Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Michael Bolton, Bob James, Bobby Caldwell, Rihanna, Extreme, and Vanessa Williams. Among his many solo recordings, Ed Calle Plays Santana garnered a Latin Grammy Award nomination in 2005. His release In the Zone (2006) features original compositions and jazz standards, and earned a Latin Grammy nomination in 2007.
Besides being an internationally acclaimed jazz performer and prolific composer and arranger, Calle is in great demand as a jazz clinician and enjoys working with students. He has served as a guest artist and clinician with the Monk Institute and at universities including Brigham Young University, Temple College, University of North Florida, University of Florida, University of Miami, and West Palm Beach Community College.
UNLV Jazz
In DownBeat Magazine's 2014 Student Music Awards, the UNLV Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Uli Geissendoerfer, received Outstanding Performance, Latin Group-Graduate College. UNLV student Carlos Mata-Alvarez also earned a Large Ensemble-Arrangement, Undergraduate College
DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards are considered to be among the most prestigious recognitions in jazz education worldwide.
There were 1,020 entries in the 2014 DownBeat Magazine SMAs judged by a distinguished group of top jazz artists and educators in a rigorous competition.