Jazz Ensemble: 'Rock Music'

JOHNSON CITY – The East Tennessee State University Jazz Ensemble’s spring concert on Friday, April 27, will highlight famous rock musicians who began their careers by playing jazz.

“Rock Music,” a program of music by The Beatles, Guns N’ Roses, The Police and more, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the D.P. Culp University Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

The ETSU Jazz Ensemble will be joined by special guests Jay Beckenstein of Spyro Gyra on saxophone and local guitar hero Chelsea Constable, along with ETSU vocalists and special guest alumni.

Beckenstein, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is the founder and bandleader of Spyro Gyra, which has performed over 5,000 shows and released 31 albums – one achieving platinum and two gold album status – over the last 40-plus years.  In addition, he has performed with the progressive metal band Dream Theater and jazz artists Bob James, Dave Samuels, Basia, Chuck Loeb and more.

East Tennessee native Constable was filmed for a prodigy show by VH1/Camera Planet in 2003 at the age of 13, and had the honor of closing the show at Muriel Anderson’s All Star Guitar Night, which featured Steve Morse of Deep Purple and legendary inventor and guitarist Les Paul.  Since then, she has become a YouTube sensation and performed with some of the world’s most renowned guitar players, including Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, Gregg Bissonette, Dave LaRue and more.  She represents many major manufacturers and recently released her first self-titled solo album.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors and free for students with ID.  Proceeds will directly benefit the students of the ETSU Department of Music’s Jazz Program, providing scholarships and resources for educational opportunities.

For tickets or more information, visit www.etsu.edu/music or contact the Department of Music at 423-439-4276 or music@etsu.edu.  For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.