Contact: Jenny Bindrum, Marketing & NJO Coordination 402-477-8446

“Big Band Tribute” will feature Rex Cadwallader, noted jazz pianist, and Matt Wallace, saxophonist.

The concert will be held Friday, October 21, 2005, 7:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 P Street, Lincoln. Priority seating for season ticket holders and Jazz Club members is at 7:00 p.m. General admission seating begins at 7:15 p.m.

A pre-concert dinner will be held promptly before the concert, catered by the Embassy Suites, at 6:00 p.m. Advanced reservations are required, and cost is $20 per person. General admission tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting the business office at Arts Incorporated at (402) 477-8446. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door the night of the concert.

Ticket prices are: Adults $20, Seniors $17, Students $10.

Dr. Rex Cadwallader is a noted composer, jazz pianist, and educator. He received an Emmy Award in 1999 for his original score for "The Connecticut River: A Journey Through Time," a Connecticut Public Television Special; an Emmy Award nomination in 1998 for his score for "Connecticut For All Seasons," another CPTV presentation; composition and performance awards from downbeat magazine; compositional study grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; a research grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities; and has published over sixty compositions for big band, jazz combo and vocal jazz ensemble. Dr. Cadwallader has played with such jazz luminaries as Rufus Reid, Bob Mintzer, Eddie Daniels, Ed Shaunessey, Bill Watrous, Don Menza, Clark Terry, Ali Ryerson, Joe Beck, Giacomo Gates, and many others.

After 70 countries, 60 tours, 11 years and 9 records with award-winning Jazz legend Maynard Ferguson, Omaha native Matt Wallace has brought his talents back home to the heartland. Although Wallace still performs with Ferguson, having toured the West Coast as recently as January with the trumpet great, Wallace has decided to stick closer to home helping to raise two young sons. Wallace has performed and been a featured soloist with numerous Grammy-award winners including, Arturo Sandoval, Delbert McClinton, Asleep at the Wheel, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Hirt, Willie Nelson, Greg Alman, Herbie Hancock, Paul Schaeffer, Diane Sure, Billy Esckstine, Chic Corea, George Benson, Chuck Mangione and of course "Jazz Hall of Famer" Ferguson. After Wallace’s CDM label debut record Collection was among the top 10 jazz records at Homer's, it was no surprise that the disc quickly sold out and is out of print. Wallace's follow-up disc, Re-emergence, was released in 2002.

This performance will feature: “A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie, “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Billy Strayhorn, “Lonely Street” by Sammy Nestico, “All the Things You Are” arranged by Stan Kenton, “Purple Gazelle” by Duke Ellington, “Li'l Darlin’” by Neal Hefti, and "M" by Rex Cadwaller.

This concert is sponsored in part by Nebraska Diamond, the 2005-2006 season sponsor.

Nebraska Jazz Orchestra strives to provide accessible venues and programs to visitors of all abilities. Please contact the business office at 477-8446 regarding services available.