JAZZ@FIRST: CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

{Advance tickets are SOLD OUT; limited walk-up tickets available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.}

 

Join us for an afternoon of “GOOD GRIEF” as we explore the music of Charlie Brown! It’s hard to think of Christmas without the joyful, swinging and heartfelt soundtrack of the TV special that has become part of America’s holiday tradition: “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The Phil DeGreg Trio, along with tenor saxophonist Dan Drees, will revisit the iconic Vince Guaraldi classic and sprinkle in some other Christmas favorites. This show will be kid-friendly, a perfect afternoon to introduce the young people in your life to jazz and improvisation. Bring the whole family to enjoy an afternoon of holiday cheer!

 

Complimentary wine, cheese and holiday treats at intermission are included with your ticket.

 

Jazz@First Series Sponsor: Al Harris

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About the Artist: Dan Drees, tenor saxophone

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A native of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Dan Drees is an alumnus of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. A second-generation CCM graduate, he considers his late mother Margie Drees his most important music teacher. While at UC he studied with Rick Van Matre, Phil DeGreg and Pat Harbison. His important musical associations include Marcus Ware’s Pavilion Music Company, Flying Circus Big Band, Blue Wisp Big Band and the Ron Enyard Quartet. Dan aspires to play in the swinging, big-toned tender-hearted tradition of local tenor masters Jimmy McGary and Morgy Craig.

 

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About the Artist: Phil DeGreg

 

Phil DeGreg began playing the piano in his childhood and now performs as a jazz pianist internationally. His earliest jazz influences were Bud Powell and Bill Evans, but he is accomplished and comfortable in a wide range of jazz styles, ranging from mainstream to bebop to Brazilian jazz. A graduate of Yale and the University of North Texas, he toured with the Woody Herman Orchestra in the 1980s and has 10 CDs to his credit as a leader. For 13 years he accompanied many national and international jazz artists in the house trio in Cincinnati’s famous Blue Wisp Jazz Club. He has been on staff with the renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops since 1983, and has performed and taught in Europe and South America.

 

Phil DeGreg is the retired Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts study grants. In 2008 he was awarded a 4-month Fulbright Fellowship as a lecturer in Brazil.

 

His text “Jazz Keyboard Harmony” is a practical text for teaching jazz harmony for all musicians, and is used all over the world in universities and for private study.

 

Learn more about Phil DeGreg on his website http://phildegreg.com.