Jazz all-stars “JazzAx” will appear Sunday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. in the Carleton College Concert Hall. Featuring Dr. David Milne (Alto Sax), Mike Walk (Alto Sax), Pete Whitman (Tenor Sax) and Greg Keel (Bari Sax)—along with jazz pianist Laura Caviani—the group will perform works by such jazz pianists as Ellington, Monk, Williams, and Brubeck, along with a Caviani original inspired by Basie.
Laura Caviani is the Director of the Carleton Jazz Ensemble and Lecturer in Jazz Piano. She received the B.M. in Composition from Lawrence University and the M.M. in Improvisation from the University of Michigan. She also studied with renowned composer JoAnne Brackeen and at the Akiyoshidai International Art Village in Japan. Ms. Caviani has taught at St. John's University, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the University of St. Thomas, and many middle schools in Minneapolis through the "Harman How to Listen Program," an outreach program co-founded by Wynton Marsalis.
Caviani is a veteran of two decades of performing, recording and composing, including appearances with Toots Thielemans, Bob Mintzer, and Dave Liebman, and touring and recording with star vocalist Karrin Allyson. Now based in Minneapolis, she has five acclaimed recordings to her credit, and a long list of supporting roles with local musicians. Recent projects include her tributes to Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, Mary Lou Williams and Alec Wilder. She is regularly featured with Pete Whitman’s Xtet, vocalists Lucia Newell and Prudence Johnson, and guitarist Joan Griffith, with whom she released Sambanova in 2008. She also appears on the Seattle based Origin Label with vibes player Ben Thomas.
As composer, she has created numerous works for jazz ensembles and orchestras. In 2010, Laura was selected to be one of five finalists at the Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Her most recent release, Going There, was described by music critic Bob Protzman as “piano trio jazz of the highest order.” Laura Caviani's personal website can be found at: www.lauracaviani.com.
This event is sponsored by the Carleton College Department of Music, with support from the Lucas Fund. For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-4475. The Concert Hall is located on First Street between Nevada and Winona Streets in Northfield.
