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| Sanborn, Betters and Auger in the Allegheny County Concert Series The Allegheny County Parks Department and Mellon Jazz announced an exciting series of Mellon Jazz-sponsored events. Harold Betters to present a noontime concert on Friday, July 21, renowned keyboardist Brian Auger bringing his Oblivion Express band to the newly renovated South Park Amphitheater stage on Friday, July 28 and saxophonist David Sanborn entertaining at Hartwood Acres on Sunday, August 13. "Great musical artistry in free-to-the-public settings perfect for outdoor concerts has always been the hallmark of Mellon Jazz-sponsored events in the County parks, " said Rose M. Gabbianelli, Mellon executive vice president and director of corporate affairs. "Thanks to the fine work being done by the County's Office of Special Events, 2006 promises to be another year of great jazz events at the Courthouse, South Park, and Hartwood Acres." "Allegheny County is fortunate to have Mellon Jazz support the summer concert series by attracting nationally known performers and encouraging hometown talent to participate, " said Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. "The County's concerts have given residents the opportunity to experience a variety of artists and musical genres. I'm pleased that Mellon Jazz has once again taken a lead role in helping us continue this summertime tradition." One of the most celebrated saxophonists in contemporary music, David Sanborn was born in 1945 in Tampa, Fla., and has achieved musical preeminence despite a bout with polio during his childhood in Missouri. Recipient of six Grammy awards, Sanborn has recorded more than 20 albums, treating audiences to a repertoire that moves effortlessly between pop and jazz. Sanborn-lead bands have performed some of the most danceable music of our time, and Sanborn has collaborated with a long list of contemporary music giants, including Albert King, Gil Evans, Paul Butterfield, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Sonny Rollins. The global reach of Brian Auger's acclaim as a jazz and rock keyboardist reflects his international background - born in Bahir, India in 1939 and a leading figure on the British musical scene during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Auger moved to San Francisco in the mid-1970s, and has toured extensively since the early 2000s with the latest edition of his band "Oblivion Express." Unchanged since the days of disco, his band's tongue-in- cheek name belies the lasting contribution this gifted keyboardist has made to pop, rock and jazz music. Prominent among his collaborators are Led Zeppelin founder Jimmy Page, legendary blues harmonica player Sonny Boy Williamson, blues bandleader Long John Baldry and his featured vocalist Rod Stewart, and jazz songstress Julie Tippetts. Who better to bring the sounds of jazz to the courtyard of the County Courthouse - scene of so many great Steeler rallies during this Super Bowl winning season -than the great Steeler game day trombonist Harold Betters. A native of Connellsville, Pa., and son of parents who owned a landmark jazz spot, Betters has kept the tradition of live club performance alive throughout his long and distinguished career, headlining engagements at major nightspots throughout the tri-state area and at venues as far away as Palo Alto, Calif. Trained in music at Ithaca College and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Betters has been saluted by the Playboy Jazz Poll as one of the best trombonists in the country, and has played alongside a long list of legendary jazz performers, including Ray Charles, Al Hirt, Ramsey Lewis and Urbie Green. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |