YSU prof in tribute to music great

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Dana School of Music professor Kent J. Engelhardt will perform with a group of jazz artists dedicated to preserving the memory of acclaimed musician Tadd Dameron to celebrate Dameron’s 100th birthday. The free performance is Saturday at 2:30 p.m., at the Strassman Insurance Stage, Playhouse Square, Cleveland, part of the TRI-C JazzFest.

Engelhardt’s project, “Tadd Dameron: The Magic Touch,” is a recreation of the music on Tadd Dameron’s last album as a leader, which was recorded in 1962. Engelhardt transcribed and notated 10 Dameron compositions including “On A Misty Night,” “Fontainbleau,” “Just Plain Talkin’,” “If You Could See Me Now,” “Our Delight,” “Dial B For Beauty,” “Look, Stop And Listen,” “Bevan’s Birthday,” and “Swift As The Wind,” as well as a collaboration with lyricist Bernie Hanighen titled “You’re A Joy.”

Dameron was born on Feb. 21, 1917 in Cleveland, and was a composer, arranger, bandleader and pianist. In addition to composing for his own groups, Dameron wrote for Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Benny Goodman, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie and Ted Heath.

Upon completion of a YSU research project in January, Engelhardt contacted Stephen Enos at Cuyahoga Community College to investigate the possibility of recording the music at the new studio at TRI-C.

“Steve and I began a conversation about this music, Tadd Dameron, other projects of mine, and ideas that he had for upcoming projects,” said Engelhardt. “The timing of my email could not have been better. We both agreed that Tadd Dameron’s music must be performed and recorded this year, the centennial of Tadd’s birth in Cleveland, Ohio.”

A group of musicians/educators from the region have been assembled that hail from Cleveland, Youngstown, Pittsburgh, Mansfield, Slippery Rock, Hudson, Cincinnati, Leavittsburg, and Ashland, representing TRI-C, Cleveland State University, Youngstown State University, Slippery Rock University, Duquesne University, Dennison University, Oberlin, West Virginia Weslyan, Ohio State University, and the University of Cincinnati.

In March and April, Engelhardt and Enos presented the music at Cleveland’s Bop Stop and Akron’s BLUJazz. In May, the musicians assembled at the Tommy LiPuma Studios at TRI-C to record the music from “The Magic Touch” and six other Dameron pieces Engelhardt transcribed or arranged. A CD release will be forthcoming.

“Steve and I are extremely proud to be performing Tadd’s music in his hometown during the centennial year of his birth,” said Engelhardt. “We are very grateful to the musicians for agreeing to share their time, talents, and experiences in the first performances of this music since it was recorded in 1962.”

The completed scores and parts will become a part of the YSU Jazz Library and will be available for performance and study by YSU students.