Jazz Concerts Mark the Open of Varner Hall’s Music Schedule

(Photos - #1 Grammy nominated saxophone musican Ben Wendel; #2 Jazz violinist Regina Carter and the Oakland Jazz Quartet)

The music program at Oakland University will open its fall season with two extraordinary jazz concerts featuring New York-based musicians.

At 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, renowned jazz violinist and OU alumna Regina Carter will perform with the Oakland Jazz Quartet. In 2003, Regina Carter released the album Paganini: After A Dream, inspired by her opportunity to play the celebrated virtuoso’s violin. Regina will invoke this spirit as she and the Oakland Jazz Quartet reinterpret themes and compositions from the classical canon featuring music by Gabriel Fauré, Astor Piazzolla, Francis Poulenc, Dave Brubeck, Gustav Mahler, Claude Debussy, Steve Reich and more. The Oakland Jazz Quartet is Oakland University’s jazz ensemble-in-residence.

The Regina Carter concert is in Varner Recital Hall and tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students.

At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, the Ben Wendel Group featuring Gerald Clayton (piano), Joe Sanders (bass), and Henry Cole (drums) will play at Oakland University in a concert sponsored by The Judd Family Endowed Fund. Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ben Wendel and his group will provide an evening of modern improvisational music in support of Ben’s new album What We Bring. “This will be a mind-blowing concert,” said OU jazz program director Miles Brown. There is more information about Ben Wendel’s varied career as a performer, composer, recording artist and educator on his website. http://www.benwendel.com/

The Ben Wendel Group concert is in Varner Recital Hall and tickets are $14 general admission and $8 for students.

Varner Recital Hall is located on the Oakland University campus at 371 Varner Drive. Maps of the campus are available at oakland.edu/map or by searching for "Varner Hall" on a smart phone. Ample free parking will be available in lots 24 and 26.

Tickets may be purchased online without service fees at startickets.com or by phone at (800) 585-3737. They can also be purchased at the Varner Box Office on OU’s campus. Tickets ordered online or by phone can be picked up at the box office one hour before the performance begins.

Directions and complete ticket information are available at http://www.oakland.edu/mtd/tickets

For more information about Oakland University Music, Theatre and Dance programs and performances, call (248) 370-2030 or visit oakland.edu/mtd