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Jazz Artist Kenny Werner to perform at MIT
November 17 and 19
Kenny Werner
--photo by William Claxton
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For Immediate Release: Nov. 2, 2004
Contact: Mary Haller
617/253-4006, e-mail haller@media.mit.edu |
Cambridge, MA.... In a rare Boston appearance, jazz pianist and composer Kenny Werner will participate in three events over the course of two days, November 17 and 19, as part of a four-day residency at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The November 19 concert will mark the first time local audiences will have the opportunity to hear his jazz ensemble compositions live, and will offer a rare opportunity to see Werner in the course of one concert perform in solo, duo, combo, and jazz ensemble settings. The concert features the world premiere "Higher Learning," a new work by Werner, commissioned by the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble.
Werner has been a jazz pianist and composer on the national and international scene for over 25 years. He has performed/recorded with such jazz giants as Charles Mingus, Ron Carter, Joe Lovano, Sonny Fortune, Lee Konitz, Bobby McFerrin, Joe Henderson, Gunther Schuller, Dave Holland, Charlie Haden, and Toots Thielmans. He has led his own trio for over 20 years with whom he has recorded for labels including Sunnyside Records, Concord Records, RCA/BMG, and most recently, Half Note Records. A noted composer, Mr. Werner has received commissions from numerous ensembles included the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra, Cologne Radio Jazz Orchestra, and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. He has served on the faculty of the New School's jazz department in New York City and he is currently artist-in-residence at New York University.
A published author, he has written several articles and his book, "Effortless Mastery," has changed many musicians’ conceptions about how to practice, play, and listen. The "Effortless Mastery" method takes concepts from Eastern philosophy, Christian and Jewish mysticism, and ancient disciplines such as Yoga and Tai Chi in order to demonstrate how to remove creative blocks in our everyday lives.
Kenny Werner's residency is funded in part by the MIT Artist-in-Residence Program.
For more information, call 617/253-2826.
Werner's Public Schedule at MIT:
Wednesday, Nov. 17 |
“Words and Music”—MIT faculty and student poets share their work with Werner, who will respond to it with piano improvisations |
3:30-5pm, Killian Hall (14W-111, 160 Memorial Dr)
Free. |
Wednesday, Nov. 17 |
"Effortless Mastery with Kenny Werner: Liberating the Master Musician Within"--Lecture-demonstration based on Werner's celebrated 1997 book. Also, some of MIT's musicians will perform for Werner, who will offer his insights into their performances |
7:30pm, Kresge Auditorium (48 Mass Ave)
Free. |
Friday, Nov. 19 |
“The Musical World of Kenny Werner”—the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, directed by Frederick Harris, Jr., will perform a program with their guest artist. The concert will feature the world premiere of "Higher Learning," a new work by Werner, commissioned by the FJE as well as other original works for jazz ensemble by Werner, who will perform in big band, small group, and solo settings.
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8pm, Kresge Auditorium (48 Mass Ave)
Admission: $5 at the door |
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