Swing’s the thing
Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing Trio
performs Saturday
By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer
Stephane Grappelli was one of the
foremost jazz violinists ever. Django Reinhardt was an equally
remarkable jazz guitarist. Mix these two virtuosos together and
violinist, composer, fiddler Mark O’Connor’s name springs up, especially
in his latest recording "In Full Swing," which Downbeat magazine dubbed
a "virtuoso fest."
Saturday, March 13, marks the
final installment in the Sun Valley Center for the Arts 2003-2004
Chamber Artist series when O’Connor’s Hot Swing Trio liven up the
Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum at 7:30 p.m.
Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing Trio
7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in
Ketchum. Courtesy photo
According to The New York Times,
O'Connor is a musician who plays jazz "like he had a patent on it,"
despite his folk background.
Grapelli was a longtime mentor of
O’Connor’s as was Texas fiddler Benny Thomasson. Between these two
extreme influences, O’Connor became a virtuoso of a multitude of musical
styles and genres.
O'Connor’s trio comprises
guitarist Frank Vignola and bassist Jon Burr. He also has a chamber
ensemble, the Appalachia Waltz Trio, for which he created "Appalachia
Waltz" and the Appalachian Journey recording sessions.
His compositions have been
recorded and performed by a variety of performers, including Yo-Yo Ma
who recorded the solo cello version of "Appalachia Waltz" and frequently
performs it in recital. Also discovering O'Connor's poetic American
music are various dance companies, including Twyla Tharp, the New York
City Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
As well O’Connor teachers master
classes and has conducted symposia at many schools of music including
The Juilliard School of Music, Tanglewood, Aspen, the Berklee College of
Music, UCLA, the Eastman School of Music and the Blair School of Music
at Vanderbilt University. He also promotes music education and outreach
with many organizations, including Opus 118, Midori and Friends, Sphinx,
Arts4All and the Music For Life Alliance.
He also serves on the advisory
panel for the selection of the Kennedy Center Honors and is the founder
of the internationally recognized Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp and Strings
Conference, near Nashville, Tenn.
For information and tickets, call
the Center at 726-9491.