UA Jazz Ensemble premieres a new composition

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Greg Yasinitsky, composer and saxophonist

The University of Arkansas Jazz Ensembles under the direction of James Greeson will perform their spring concert featuring guest saxophonist and composer Greg Yasinitsky on Friday, April 19. Professor Yasinitsky will be presenting the debut of a new ballad titled “Missing You” he composed for the UA Jazz Ensemble in which he is the featured soloist. Yasinitsky will also be heard performing other of his compositions with the band. The UA Jazz Ensemble will also present two compositions by James Greeson and the music of Count Basie and Matt Harris on the concert.

Yasinitsky is a Regents Professor of Music and director of the School of Music at Washington State University and has an international reputation as a composer, arranger and saxophonist. A recipient of grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet the Composer West, The Commission Project, Yasinitsky has performed with Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Louis Bellson, Stan Getz, Lionel Hampton, Manhattan Transfer, and many others. He also has written music especially for Clark Terry, and the U.S. Air Force "Airmen of Note" big band, with over 175 musical works published and performed in over 30 countries worldwide.

Yasinitsky’s appearance is made possible with the support of the UA Artist & Concert committee, the UA music department, the UA student cultural activity fee, and also with the generous support of Saied Music Co. and the Yamaha Corporation of America.

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Arkansas' Arkansas Union Theater on Friday, April 19. There is no admission charge and the concert is open to the public.