FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2017

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV - Members of the Glenville State College Jazz Combo have been invited to perform as the opening act for Downbeat Award winning jazz pianist Monika Herzig at an upcoming local performance. The event will take place in Clarksburg, West Virginia at the Bridgeport Conference Center on Saturday, April 22.

The event is part of the West Virginia Jazz Society’s ‘Jazz at Charles Pointe’ series and is their first focusing on a College Jazz Showcase. GSC’s Jazz Combo was one of only two collegiate programs chosen to take part. The student performers will participate in a Jazz Scholars Academy the morning of the concert which will include mentor training with Herzig and members of her band, ‘The Whole World in her Hands’ band. The training program was designed by GSC Jazz Band Combo director and Assistant Professor of Music Jason Barr, Director of Jazz at West Virginia University Jared Sims, and Herzig.

GSC's Jazz Combo is under the direction of Jason Barr (center)

“We were contacted by Eric Spelsberg of the West Virginia Jazz Society to take part in this event. It is very exciting because Monika Herzig is a huge presence in the jazz world,” said Barr. “Our band members, who are always happy to perform, are thrilled about the opportunity to act as the opener for such a tremendous name in the jazz and jazz education world. Besides being the first name in jazz research, Dr. Herzig has also published numerous articles on jazz and piano pedagogy. As a performer, she has performed across the globe as a headliner at various jazz festivals, clubs, and concert series. Her band reads like a ‘who’s who’ of top players including Downbeat Award winners, Grammy nominees, and a five-year Gibson Guitarist of the Year winner. The band and I feel that it is truly an honor and a privilege to be able to work with and perform for such an incredible array of jazz heavyweights.”

Tickets for the event are $15 each. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner and music from GSC’s Jazz Combo beginning at 7:00 p.m. The full show will begin at 8:00 p.m. There will also be music by two WVU jazz groups taking place Friday, April 21 at different locations in Clarksburg.

The West Virginia Jazz Society hopes to make the College Jazz Showcase an annual event and include more schools in the future.