The John Menegon Group featuring Dewey Redman

NEW PALTZ — Bassist, composer and arranger, John Menegon fronts his own group in a concert of jazz originals featuring renowned saxophonist Dewey Redman, October 21, 2003 at the State University of New York at New Paltz, Julien J. Studley Theatre. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, one hour prior to the concert $10 general admission, $8 seniors and SUNY staff, $4 students.

In performing jazz originals, the engaging Menegon confirms that the bass can rise above its unjustly perceived narrow role in a jazz ensemble. On “Search Light,” his recent CD, “John Menegon showed, without self-indulgence, that the bass can define the character of an ensemble as clearly and fully as any other instrument. The entire project has a surefootedness, a quiet, elegant, muscularity that radiates from Mr. Menegon’s own playing, and that is immediately apparent and compelling.” (Steven Robinson, All About Jazz, July 2003.)

Accompanying Menegon will be the versatile saxophonist Dewey Redman bringing his compositions, broad-ranging style and the urban tone of the tenor sax and musette. One of the most enigmatic and interesting players in jazz, Redman helped change jazz history playing in the avant-garde groups of Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, and his own Old and New Dreams with Don Cherry, Haden and Ed Blackwell. Redman was an integral part of the groundbreaking Keith Jarrett ensemble in the 1970’s, and has continued to lead his own small groups since then, performing a repertory of blues, bop, and free jazz. Redman is rightly described as an innovator who does not compromise his musical tastes for the current musical fashion.

Joining Menegon and Redman will be the groups members, John Gunther, saxophone and flute; Mark Dziuba, guitar; Tani Tabbal, percussion; Mark McLean, drums; and Teri Roiger, vocals.

Sponsored by the SUNY New Paltz Music Department, The John Menegon Group will perform on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. in the Julien J. Studley Theatre. Tickets will go on sale one hour before the performance. For further information call 845-257-3872.

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