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Featuring Grammy-Award-Winning Jazz Composer Maria Schneider

November 3, Bethlehem, PA— The ɫ��ɫ College Music Department in partnership with the Pennsylvania Jazz Collective presents the 5th Annual Jazz Series at ɫ��ɫ College, Wednesday through Friday, November 16-18, 2016. The series, which focuses on the big band or jazz orchestra, culminates in a concert featuring the ɫ��ɫ College Big Band and the PAJAZZ Big Band, on Friday at 7:30 pm in ɫ��ɫ College’s Foy Hall.

Guest artist Maria Schneider, renowned composer, arranger, and conductor, will conduct both the ɫ��ɫ College Big Band and the PA Jazz Collective Big Band, comprised of the finest jazz musicians in the region. In addition, ɫ��ɫ College Music Department Chair Neil Wetzel will form a selective all-star big band that will perform Schneider’s compositions.

Nominated for 12 Grammys in multiple categories, Schneider has won 5, including two 2016 awards: Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocal for the single “Sue (Or in a Season of Crime),” recorded by the Maria Schneider Orchestra and David Bowie, and Best Large Ensemble Album for “The Thompson Fields.” Her work reaches across jazz and classical and has been described by critics as “evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and beyond categorization.”

Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for seniors and students. To purchase tickets and for more information go to  music@moravian.edu or  or call 610-861-1650.

Prior to the big band concert, on Thursday, November 17, a full slate of free clinics, workshops, and open rehearsals will be held at ɫ��ɫ College’s music facilities. PA Jazz Collective artists and ɫ��ɫ jazz faculty will lead instrument-specific clinics, and Schneider will conduct an open rehearsal in Foy Hall with student and professional groups.

Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., members of the PA Jazz Collective will be featured in a “Trumpet Extravaganza” at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The event is free and open to the public.

ɫ��ɫ College encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Anyone who anticipates needing any type of accommodation or who has questions about the physical access provided should contact the ɫ��ɫ College Music Department at 610-861-1650at least one week prior to visiting. 

This year’s jazz series is made possible by sponsorships and grants from the Pennsylvania Arts Council, the ɫ��ɫ College Music Department,ɫ��ɫ College Arts and Lectures, Nazareth Music Center, Hotel Bethlehem, Beall Fowler, Abe’s, and Minisi Ridge Records.