Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida to perform Sept. 19 at Goshen College; Choral terrace tickets available and free jazz improv workshop available

 

GOSHEN, Ind. – The Goshen College Performing Arts Series starts off the 2009-2010 season with a performance by one of America's favorites Doc Severinsen and his band El Ritmo de la Vida, on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Center's Sauder Concert Hall.

Choral terrace seats, located above and behind the stage, are still available for the concert for $15.For more information, contact the Goshen College Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566 or e-mailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

"Heeeeere's Johnny!" This lead-in, followed by a big band trumpet explosion by Severinsen was the landmark of late night television for three decades. While Grammy winner Severinsen is well known as the virtuoso trumpeter and bandleader of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, he is currently touring with El Ritmo de la Vida. The trio includes Severinsen, guitarist Gil Gutierrez and violinist Pedro Cartas.

El Ritmo de la Vida, which means "the rhythm of life" in Spanish, is a very appropriate depiction of the group and their ability to present spectacular concerts. Their music is classical Spanish with a jazz flair, gorgeous ballads, both Latino and American, plus some great movie music, and among their best received – gypsy jazz, a la Django Reinhardt. Each are skillful, and combined, they are thrilling. Add to this the soaring trumpet of Severinsen and the experience is one to remember.

A bonus to the community will be a free workshop on jazz improvisation with Gutierrez and Cartas. The workshop will take place from 3 to 4:15 p.m. at the Goshen College Music Center, Room 153, on Sept. 19. String musicians of any age or level are invited to come and bring their instruments. The workshop will be offered in Spanish, with English interpretation. For more information, contact Brian Wiebe at (574) 535-7793. Participants will be welcome to stay for an open "sound check" with the musicians warming up on stage before their concert with Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida.

Severinsen has recorded more than 30 albums – from big band to jazz-fusion to classical.

This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Indiana Arts Commission, General Mills Foundation and Land O'Lakes Foundation.

-By Julie Weirich

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education,"Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S.News & World Report's"America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.