All ages - General Admission
Seated Listening Room Style Show
Doors & bar open at 7:00PM - Show starts at 7:30
All Tickets $10
Iconic drummer and MSUFCU Guest Artist in Residence Harvey Mason will perform the legendary music of Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters and other jazz standards accompanied by the MSU Jazz Orchestra (The Be-Bop Spartans) under the leadership of Rodney Whitaker.
Experience a breathtaking journey through jazz's most pivotal compositions, as a Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Rodney Whitaker along with the phenomenal drummer, Harvey Mason breathes new life into legendary pieces. This musical exploration traces the genre's vibrant progression, featuring seminal works from titans like Ellington, Basie, Gillespie, and Mingus, alongside electrifying selections from the iconic "Headhunters" album. Prepare to be captivated by lush arrangements, powerful collective playing, and dazzling improvised solos that span the spectrum of jazz's rich heritage. From the infectious rhythms of early swing to the sophisticated hues of mid-century modernism and the innovative spirit of today's big bands, this concert is a profound testament to jazz's enduring power and artistic soul, offering both enlightenment and exhilaration.
This is an exciting last minute surprise to the Traverse City community. All tickets $10.
HARVEY MASON
Harvey Mason "The Chameleon behind the drums"
Harvey Mason is among the most recorded and in-demand drummers of all-time. A legendary, multi-GRAMMY® nominated session drummer, producer, composer & recording artist, he has worked with a pantheon of musical giants, including Barbra Streisand, James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Bjork, Carlos Santana, Michael Jackson, John Legend, Seal, and the London Symphony Orchestra.
He has composed and written songs recorded by artists ranging from Nancy Wilson and Mary J. Blige to The Notorious B.I.G.
Harvey has won four 1st place plaques from Modern Drummer magazine’s annual studio poll and has been the first-call drummer for the Academy Awards ceremonies on 25 occasions.
Mason was born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he attended Atlantic City High School. He began playing drums at age four, encouraged by his father, a drummer in the Army band.
He was the original drummer for The Headhunters, the jazz fusion group led by Herbie Hancock. After leaving the band in the early 1970s, he co-founded the jazz quartet Fourplay, which has been on indefinite hiatus since 2017. Over the years, Mason has also performed as a sideman with Bill Withers, George Benson, and Lee Ritenour.
Mason studied at Berklee College of Music for a year and a half in the 1960s before transferring to New England Conservatory, where he studied with Vic Firth. In 2015, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee in recognition of his artistic achievements and lasting contributions to American and international culture.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY’S JAZZ ORCHESTRA I
Michigan State University's Jazz Orchestra I, a vibrant collective of twenty-five promising artists, has earned the spirited handle of "The Be-Bop Spartans" from renowned American Jazz impresario Todd Barkan. This accomplished student group captivates listeners with their ecstatic musicality, masterfully interpreting the revered works of jazz legends alongside a captivating repertoire spanning soul, swing, blues, and gospel. Their impressive victories in collegiate competitions underscore their exceptional artistry, a hallmark of their performances wherever they appear. Their far-reaching performances have enthralled audiences throughout the United States and even internationally, gracing stages in New York, California, Japan, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and the vibrant Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago. The intricate tapestry of sound they weave is a testament to the individual virtuosity of this amazing ensemble made up of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, bassists, drummers, pianist, and guitarists, all amplified by the captivating energy of its vocalists.
RODNEY WHITAKER
Rodney Whitaker, a preeminent figure at Michigan State University, is a distinguished professor of jazz bass, director of jazz studies, and an acclaimed Origin Records artist. Recently inducted into the Academy of Arts & Sciences, his influence on jazz spans decades. Whitaker's illustrious career, highlighted by collaborations with icons like the Roy Hargrove Quintet, Wynton Marsalis Septet, Kathleen Battle, Natalie Cole, Crosby/Stills & Nash, and his current roles as a bandleader, educator, and mentor, underscore his profound and enduring legacy. He champions jazz's future through his ambitious goal of nurturing a thousand mentors, each propagating inspiration. Beyond performance and teaching, his work as a recording artist with ensembles like the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra has garnered acclaim for its heartfelt insights and energetic expression, solidifying his status as a highly sought-after collaborator. Since earning tenure at MSU in 2003, Professor Whitaker's achievements, amplified by Dean Forger's strong leadership, have significantly elevated the prestige of the College of Music and the university. As Director of Jazz Studies, he has been a staunch champion of excellence and forward momentum. Under his visionary guidance, the jazz program has thrived, marked by the expansion of its faculty to seven and a dramatic increase in student enrollment, boasting 70 undergraduate and 14 graduate Jazz Majors with aspirations for advanced degreed programs in jazz performance.
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