Artist info
We are thrilled and privileged that this season the great bassist Rufus Reid, who appeared last year as a member of Frank Wess' Quintet, returns to lead his own all-star trio, serve as "Guest Conductor & Artist" with the MU Concert Jazz Band and to serve as the 2009/2010 Jazz Series "Artists-in-Residence."
The recipient of numerous awards, fellowships and honors, Reid's illustrious career is now four decades long and encompasses not only stints with jazz icons such as Dexter Gordon and others but also incorporates a life-long commitment to jazz education. Simply Reid is one of the best clinicians and master class instructors in the jazz world.
Reid, who will be joined by his group during his stay here, will work with a multitude of students on the high school and university level. His visit will also incorporate what's become a popular noon-hour "History of..." free presentation at the Columbia Public Library and culminate with a concert with him serving as special guest conductor of and in performance with the MU Concert Jazz Band part of the evening and then leading his own trio the rest of the time.
Reid's smart trio consists of pianist Steve Allee, a life-long native and resident of Indianapolis who has released a multitude of records as a leader as well as worked with a who's who in jazz the past three decades, and the exceptional Brazilian percussionist Duduka Da Fonseca, who has resided in New York since the early 1990s and was a co-founder of Trio da Paz with fellow Brazilian masters Romero Lubambo and Nilson Matta. Reid's trio has just recorded again with the release set for spring 2010. It's likely to be the focus of the group's performance here.
