INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED JAZZ PIANIST TO PERFORM IN KINGSVILLE AND CORPUS CHRISTI

(KINGSVILLE, February 14, 1997) -- Internationally renowned jazz pianist Gene DiNovi, who played professionally as a teenager with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, will perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Bellamah Music Building Recital Hall.

DeNovi will also conduct a jazz improvisation seminar on Feb. 19 and 20 at A&M-Kingsville, and will conclude his week-long visit with a solo piano jazz concert Feb. 22 in Corpus Christi.

Dr. B. Drath, music professor at A&M-Kingsville, attended a performance by DiNovi in Toronto and said the performer's musical artistry left a lasting impression.

"He is an excellent pianist and he is an artist. I have head many jazz pianists, but he made a very strong impression on me when I heard him in Toronto," Drath said. "... I was deeply impressed by his phenomenal artistic feel of piano sound, not to speak of his talent as a composer and brilliant piano technique."

DiNovi, a Brooklyn, N.Y. native, was regarded by many as one of the most promising young pianists on the jazz scene. As a 16-year-old, DiNovi heard and assimilated the style of "bebop," the "new" jazz, played on 52nd Street and had opportunities to sit in with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker who recognized his potential early on. He later worked with Boyd Raeburn, Benny Goodman and Chubby Jackson.

DiNovi moved on to become an accompanist to artists such as Peggy Lee, Lena Horne and Tony Bennett. From there he graduated to Hollywood studios in the 1960s where he worked in movies and television with many great musicians in the field; and in the early 1970s he moved to Toronto.

The 1990s saw him re-establishing himself on the jazz scene where he earned the title in music circles as a "bebop survivor." His trio album, "Gene DiNovi: Renaissance of a Jazz Master," was made in 1993.

Admission is $5 for Tuesday's recital. Advance tickets may be purchased at the A&M-Kingsville Department of Music main office, (512) 593-2803; or at Goetsch Music Company in Kingsville, (512) 592-5464. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Following Tuesday's recital, DiNovi will conducted a jazz improvisation seminar from 9 a.m. to noon, Feb. 19 and 20, in the Recital Hall. The cost is $30 per day.

"The recital will serve as an example of how he does it (improvise) and he will explain his methods (in the workshop)," Drath said. "This is one of the rare occasions to learn jazz improvisation from a jazz master."

The workshop, Drath added, will be addressed not just to jazz pianists but to classical pianists who would like to learn jazz improvisation, although anyone interested can participate. Limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For additional information on the jazz improvisation seminar, contact Drath at his office, (512) 593-2822, or at home, (512) 949-0233.

DiNovi will conclude his South Texas visit at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, with a solo piano jazz concert. The event will be held in Warren Theatre at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Advance tickets may be purchased for $5 at the Piano Gallery in Corpus Christi at (512) 851-0400; and one hour prior to Saturday's event at the Warren Theatre Box Office. Tickets will also be available at the door.

For additional information call (512) 593-2822 or (512) 593-2806.

-TAMUK-
- Mary McAdam