Jazz Concert Salutes ‘LEGENDS: Kenton & Ferguson’
Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra program a high-energy tribute
(VERO BEACH, FL) October 3, 2022 – Frank Wosar will lead the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra in an October tribute to two of the most important figures in jazz, Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson. The JAZZ Orchestra of Central Florida’s finest jazz musicians will present LEGENDS: Kenton & Ferguson at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 16 at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue in Vero Beach. Kenton was known for his big blaring horn sections—his was the original “wall of sound.” Under the direction of Wosar, the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra will feature an enlarged big band (the same size as Kenton’s) playing a number of songs written and arranged by Kenton, including “Malaguena,” “Peanut Vendor,” and “A Little Minor Booze.” The concert will also pay homage to trumpeter and composer, Maynard Ferguson. Ferguson came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton’s orchestra before forming his own band in 1957. Selections from Ferguson will include “Coconut Champagne,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” “Birdland,” “MacArthur Park,” and more. Tickets are $30 in advance for adults, available through the orchestra website at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust, beachside and mainland branches. Tickets at the door are $35. LEGENDS: Kenton & Ferguson is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID. For more information, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
Masters of composition and musicianship, Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson are today regarded as genuine American jazz legends. And Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra Conductor, Frank Wosar thinks audiences will be wowed by his group’s high energy tribute to the greats. Wosar is Director of Jazz Bands at Valencia College. The trombone professor is a four-time Down Beat Award winner for outstanding jazz solo.
“I’ve been a fan of Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson my whole life,” said Wosar. “This concert really honors their genius. We have a band of fantastic musicians who will bring the music of these two legends to life.”
Several members of Wosar’s jazz orchestra are also current or former players with the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra.
Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra 2022-23 Season, please visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.
TRUMPET ‘WALL OF SOUND’
Joe Breidenstine began his musical studies at a very early age. He began playing piano at age 8 and took up trumpet at age 10. After graduating from Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, New Jersey, Joe attended the jazz studies program at William Paterson University of New Jersey under the direction of Rufus Reid. After college, Joe landed a 6 month stint at the Imperial Plaza Hotel in Osaka, Japan, where he performed 6 nights a week with the David Cedeno Orchestra. Once returning to the states, Joe was offered and accepted a chair in the Glenn Miller Orchestra on the recommendation of the great trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, and toured the United States. In the mid-90’s, Joe settled in New York City where he has had the opportunity to perform with some of the greats in music. Some of Joe’s most memorable performances have been with Lou Rawls, Tito Puente, Jon Faddis, George Benson, Joe Williams, Stanley Turrentine, David “fathead” Newman, Benny Golsen, Eric Alexander, Ralph Bowen, and many others. Joe has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Japan, and the Middle East.
Joseph Meadows is a trumpet player, singer, songwriter, producer, booking agent and featured performer with the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra over the past five years. In addition to playing with SCSJO, Joseph is Co-Founder of Orlando-based Brown Bag Entertainment, one of Central Florida’s premier entertainment companies, serving the region and beyond.
Brian Scanlon started his musical journey at the age of nine. He found he had an affinity for trumpet from the very beginning, and went on to help his high school jazz ensemble win countless gold medals in state and national competition. Brian matriculated to the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) to study under Jeff Holmes, and then to the University of North Florida to work with Bruce Silva.
During his college years, Brian won summer positions with the Disney All American College Band (Anaheim, CA) and the Disney All American College Jazz Band (Orlando, FL), where he performed with Arturo Sandoval, Joe Williams, and many other guest artists.
Over the years, Brian has been lucky enough to perform and recorded with many jazz orchestras, including those of Woody Herman (Live in London 1999, Frank Tiberi), Tommy Dorsey (Buddy Morrow), Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller (Tex Beneke), Xavier Cugat, Harry James, Cab Calloway, Larry Elgart, and Les Brown. He has also toured and recorded with KC and the Sunshine Band (Tonight Show 2000, 2003), The Brian Setzer Orchestra (Songs from Lonley Avenue 2009), Natalie Cole, The Four Tops, and The Temptations.
Brian is currently a freelance musician in the Orlando area and can be heard regularly at Disney World, Epcot Center, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and many other venues.
Dr. Ryan Chapman is a freelance trumpet player and educator living in Miami, FL. He recently received his D.M.A. in jazz performance from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He has studied with Chris Howard, Dennis Herrick, Rich Szabo, Jon Faddis, Vincent DiMartino, Ramon Vasquez, Roger Ingram, Sam Pilafian, and Brian Lynch.
Ryan is originally from Montgomery, AL and received his B.M. in performance from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. He spent some time performing on cruise ships before earning his M.Ed. from Auburn University. Following Auburn, Ryan taught band and elementary music while freelancing in the greater Atlanta area before moving to Miami to study at the University of Miami.
Ed Gaston began his professional career as a Trumpet player at the age of fifteen. In 1981 he received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Tennessee. He studied composition with Dr. John Lennon, Jazz arranging with Jerry Coker and arranging and composition with Barry McDonald.. Upon completion of his studies he moved to Nashville where he wrote and performed for 3 years with Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass. He spent the next 6 years working with Boots Randolph. While in Nashville, Ed began to publish his work, first with Arrangers’ Publishing Corp. and later with CPP-Belwin and Hal Leonard. Ed was also the Staff Arranger for the University of Tennessee “Pride of the Southland” for 2 years.
ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.
Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements. LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor. Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community. School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID. In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert. The non-traditional Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only 19 U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. In addition to maintaining the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, the nonprofit organization provides numerous separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.
